QUICKSILVER 


Bv    JA.MES    BTJTTERWORTH 


EXTRACT  FROM  REPORT  ON  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

AT  THE  ELEVENTH  CENSUS,  1890. 


•          • 
. 

" 


QUICKSILVER 


UHI7BESIT7 


35  M 12 


177 


QUICKSILVER 


J5Y   JAMKS    HTTTKRWORTH    RAXDOL. 


PEE  SENT  STATE  OF  THE  INDUSTRY. 

The  quicksilver  industry  during  the  last  decade  has  remained  in  the  same  depressed  condition.  No  new 
discoveries  have  been  made,  and  the  old  mines  are  becoming  exhausted  to  such  a  degree  as  to  indicate  a  rather 
doubtful  future  notwithstanding  the  somewhat  improved  prices,  which  should  tend  to  a  new  stimulus  in  prospecting 
as  well  as  in  producing. 

The  New  Almadeu  mine,  once  the  proud  rival  of  the  Almaden  mine  in  Spain,  has  given  up  its  second  place  to 
the  Idria  mine  in  Austria,  and  the  prospects  for  regaining  its  lost  rank  are  not  very  encouraging.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  the  other  California  mines.  All  have  had  similar  experience,  as  shown  by  the  table  below.  The  New 
Almaden,  with  a  production  of  23,465  flasks  in  1880,  produced  in  1889  only  13,100  flasks.  The  Sulphur  Bank,  with 
10,706  flasks  in  1880,  produced  only  2,283  in  1889;  the  Great  Western  produced  6,442  flasks  in  1880  against  556  in 
1889,  while  the  Guadalupe,  a  mine  in  1880  producing  6,670  flasks,  has  produced  nothing  since  1885. 

COMPAEATIVE  TABLE  OF  QUICKSILVER  PRODUCTION  IN  1889  AND  1880. 

[Flasks.] 


COMPANIES, 

1889. 

1880. 

Increase. 

Decrease. 

Total                                

<i26,  484 

59,  926 

2,114 

35,  556 

13  100 

23  465 

10  365 

./Etna    

>    4  590 

4  416 

174 

556 

6  442 

5  H86 

2  983 

10  706 

8  423 

980 

:;  '>09 

2  °29 

1  345 

1  ''79 

66 

81° 

o  139 

1  3r>7 

Guadalupe  

6  670 

6  670 

1  874 

1  874 

«944 

1  600 

656 

a  Includes  20  flasks  from  Oregon. 

This  table  shows  improvement  only  in  3  cases,  while  in  all  the  others  a  very  serious  decrease  has  taken  place, 
the  aggregate  of  production  having  decreased  55.84  per  cent. 

The  prices  for  quicksilver,  on  the  contrary,  have  shown  an  improvement,  the  highest  and  lowest  quotations  per 
flask  iii  1880  being  $34.45  and  $27.55,  against  $50  and  $40,  respectively,  in  1889,  a  total  improvement  of  45.16 
per  cent.  This  improvement  in  prices  has  given  some  encouragement  to  prospectors,  but  with  no  satisfactory 
results.  The  total  approximate  valuation  during  the  decade  from  1870  to  1879,  inclusive,  was  $24,322,500,  against 
$13,480,500  in  the  last  decade — a  serious  loss,  with  impoverished  mining  properties. 

The  world's  production  in  1880  was  122,536  flasks,  of  which  the  California  mines  produced  nearly  one-half,  while 
with  a  total  production  of  113,842  flasks  in  1889  California  only  claims  23.25  per  cent. 

New  utilizations  for  the  metal  have  not  been  discovered,  and  the  general  depression  in  the  Comstock  mines  has 
had  a  very  depressing  effect  on  the  quicksilver  market.  The  shipments  to  China  and  South  America  ceased 
altogether  in  1889,  and  shipments  to  other  countries  have  largely  decreased.  The  total  foreign  shipments  from 
San  Francisco  in  1880  were  34,648  flasks,  against  5,189  flasks  in  1889. 

CENSUS   STATISTICS. 

During  the  calendar  year  1889  there  were  26,464  flasks,  or  2,024,49(3  pounds,  or  1,012  short  tons  of  quicksilver 
produced  in  California.  About  20  flasks,  less  than  $1,000  in  value,  were  produced  in  Oregon.  The  product  is 
notably  less  than  the  usual  yield.  In  1888,  33,250  flasks  were  produced. 

179 


180 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


ESTABLISHMENTS. 

In  the  following  table,  under  the  heading. of  ''Productive  mines  and  furnaces",  is  included  every  establishment 
in  the  United  States  where  cinnabar  ore  is  known  to.  tyav.e  been  mined  and  quicksilver  produced  therefrom  to  the 
amount  of  $1,000  or  more  during  the  period  under  review.  The  nonproductive  mines  and  furnaces  include 
establishments  the  stoppage  of  which  was  caused,  among  other  reasons,  by  litigation,  by  low  prices  for  quicksilver 
and  the  consequent  unprofitable  results  for  the  time  being,  or  by  lack  of  sufficient  capital  and  experience  to  pursue 
a  hazardous  industry.  It  is  considered  probable  that  all  of  those  establishments  now  closed  and  unproductive  will 
resume  work  when  higher  and  more  remunerative  prices  for  quicksilver  can  be  obtained. 

The  productive  mines  and  furnaces,  with  few  exceptions,  were  operated  continuously  throughout  the  year, 
omitting  holidays  and  Sundays. 

LOCATION  AND  NUMBER  OF  ALL  THE  QUICKSILVER  ESTABLISHMENTS, 
BY  STATES  AND  COUNTIES. 


STATES. 

Counties. 

PRODUCTIVE. 

NONPRODUCTIVE^ 

Mines. 

Furnaces. 

Mines. 

Furnaces. 

Total 

11 

36 

6 

7 

3 
1 

4 
1 
1 
1 

12 

(a) 
12 
3 

2 

Do             .     . 

Merced  

Do 

If  apa  

Do  

Do 

San  Benito  

1 

4 

Do  
Do    

Sonoma  
Siski  you  

1 
1 
3 

(a) 

Do 

Trinity  

3 

a  One  retort. 


The  productive  mines  and  active  furnaces  employed  937  operatives,  of  whom  416  were  engaged  on  surface  work 
and  521  were  employed  underground.  The  other  mines  and  furnaces  employed  24  meir,  making  a  total  of  961 
employes,  as  shown  in  the  following  table : 

NUMBER  OF  EMPLOYES. 


EMPLOYES. 

Total. 

Productive 
mines  and 
furnaces. 

Nonproduc- 
tive mines 
and  furnaces. 

Total 

961 

937 

24 

956 

932 

24 

Women  

1 

1 

Boys 

4 

4 

434 

416 

18 

5^7 

521 

6 

PRODUCTION   STATISTICS. 

Of  95,714  tons  (2,000  pounds  each)  of  cinnabar  ore  mined,  92,964  tons  were  roasted,  producing  26,464  flasks  of 
quicksilver,  each  containing  a  standard  quantity  of  76.5  pounds  avoirdupois.  Of  the  11  establishments  working 
ore,  1  reported  only  200  tons  produced  and  worked  in  retorts,  with  an  average  yield  of  2.295  per  cent,  the  highest 
percentage  returned.  The  lowest  average  yield  was  0.286  per  cent,  and  the  average  percentage  yield  in  quicksilver 
for  all  the  ore  roasted  was  1.089.  The  largest  quantities  of  ore  produced  and  roasted  by  a  single  establishment 
were,  respectively,  28,007  and  28,887  tons,  and  the  quantity  of  quicksilver  produced  at  the  several  works  ranged 
from  120  to  13,100  flasks. 


QUICKSILVER. 


181 


The  following  table  exhibits   the  quantity  of  ore  produced  .and  roasted  in  1889,  the  number  of  flasks  of 
quicksilver  produced,  and  the  percentage  of  yield: 

YIELD  OF  QUICKSILVER  FROM  ORES  ROASTED  IN  1889. 


NUMBER 
Of 
ESTABLISH- 
MENTS. 

Ore 
produced. 

(Short  tons.) 

Ore  roasted. 
(Short  tuns.) 

Quicksilver* 
produced. 
(Flasks.) 

Yield. 
(Per  cent.) 

1 

7,108 

7,  168 

1,874 

1.000 

1 

9,880 

9,880 

2,  283 

0.884 

1 

7,440 

7,440 

556 

0.286 

1 

200 

200 

120 

2.295 

1 

4,742 

3,992 

812 

0.778 

1 

23,  500 

23,  500 

4,590 

0.747 

1 
1 

3,400 
3,377 

3,400 
3,377 

804 
980 

0.905 
1.110 

1 

1 
1 

28,  007 
7,000 
1,000 

28,  887 
5,120 

13,  100 
1,345 

1.735 
1.005 

11 

95,  714 

92,  964 

«26,  464 

1.089 

a  One  mine  in  Oregon  produced  20  flasks,  the  total  product  in  that 
state;  they  are  not  included,  being  less  than  $1,000  in  value. 

EXPENDITURES. 

The  following  table  shows  the  value  of  supplies  of  all  kinds  consumed  during  the  year  1880,  the  aggregate  of 
all  wages  paid,  total  of  all  other  expenditures  for  mines  and  works,  including  rent,  taxes,  etc.,  number  of  flasks 
of  quicksilver  produced,  and  average  cost  per  flask : 

EXPENDITURES  IN  THE  PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  1889, 
NUMBER  OF  FLASKS  PRODUCED,  ETC. 


NUMBER 
OF 
ESTABLISH- 
MENTS. 

Value  of  all 
supplies. 

Aggregate 
of  all  wages. 

Total  of  all 
other 
expenditures. 

Number  of 
flasks 
of  quicksilver 
produced. 

Average  cost 
per  flask. 

1 

$53,  567 

$104,  608 

$760 

4,590 

$34.  63 

1 

5,975 

8,060 

1 

64,  000 

20.  936 

750 

804 

31.95 

1 

4,000 

12,  591 

1,000 

812 

21.66 

1 

9,564 

43,241 

1,042 

1,874 

28.73 

1 

21,  973 

47.  208 

2,507 

2,283 

31.40 

1 

9,034 

25,  352 

2,167 

556 

65.74 

1 

1,500 

2,250 

120 

1 

3,114 

27,546 

79 

980 

31.37 

1 

86,  428 

304,  341 

?6,  826 

13,  100 

31.88 

1 

20,  467 

30,  156 

359 

1,  345 

37.90 

11 

219,  622 

626,  289 

35,  499 

26,464 

33.31 

a  Ore  mined,  but  none  roasted,  and  therefore  omitted  in  average  cost  per  flask. 
&  Estimated;  correct  amount  unobtainable. 

From  the  above  table  it  will  be  seen  that  at  11  active  establishments  there  were  expended  $219,622  for  supplies 

9  for  wages,  and  $35,490  for  other  expenses,  embracing  taxes,  rent,  interest,  etc.,  making  a  total  of  $881  40l' 

showing  that  71.05  per  cent  was  paid  for  wages,  24.92  per  cent  for  supplies,  and  4.03  per  cent  for  all  other  expenses' 

the  amount  paid  for  wages  the  office  force  absorbed  $34,966,  and  there  were  paid  to  foremen,  mechanics,  miners' 

turnace  hands,  and  laborers  $591,323. 


The  cost  per  flask  of  quicksilver  produced  ranged  from  $65.74  to  $21.66,  the  average  cost  for  all  being  $33  31 
ing  table  gives  the  highest  and  lowest  price  monthly  for  quicksilver: 

PRICE  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  SAN  FRANCISCO  DURING  1889. 




MONTHS. 

Highest. 

Lowcsi. 

MONTHS. 

Highest. 

l| 
Lowest.    !                    MONTHS. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

January  
February  
March  

$43.00 
42.00 

$41.50 
41.  50 

May  
June  

$45.00 
50.00 

• 

$41.00    :;    September  
46.50     •  ,    October  

$47.50 
47.00 

$47.  00 
46.50 

April  

41.00 

40.  00 

July  
August  

47.  50 
47.50 

46.  50         November  
46.00         December 

48.00 
47.50 

46.00 
47.00 

182 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


For  the  year  the  highest  price  per  flask  for  quicksilver  was  $50  and  the  lowest  $40.  The  total  valuation  of 
the  year's  production  was  $1,190,500.  The  difference  between  the  cost,  $881,401,  and  value,  $1,190,500,  is  $309,099, 
which  may  be  regarded  as  the  profit  on  the  year's  work,  based  on  the  returns  collected.  The  difference  between 
average  cost  and  average  sale  price  was  $11.69  per  flask. 

The  establishment  producing  quicksilver  at  a  cost  of  $65.74  per  flask  met  with  a  serious  loss  on  its  output, 
and  no  establishment  made  a  profit  commensurate  with  the  risks  attending  the  mining  of  cinnabar,  its  manufacture 
into  quicksilver,  and  finding  for  it  a  market  in  competition  with  rich  and  important  establishments  carried  on  by 
foreign  governments. 

WAGES. 

The  wages  in  the  table  appended  show  considerable  variations,  depending  largely  upon  the  locality  of  the  work, 
its  importance,  and  the  degree  of  skill  required  for  its  performance.  On  work  at  surface  foremen  were  reported  to 
earn  daily  wages  ranging  from  $10.33  to  $2.66;  mechanics,  $3.60  to  $2.05;  laborers,  $2  to  $1.18,  the  last-named  rate 
being  for  Chinamen.  Boys  under  16  years  of  age,  of  whom  only  4  were  employed,  none  underground,  earned  from 
$1  to  75  cents. 

The  following  table  gives  the  number  and  classification  of  employes  on  surface  (excepting  the  office  force),  daily 
wages,  and  number  of  days  worked  during  the  year : 

NUMBER  OF  EMPLOYES  ABOVE  GROUND,  WAGES,  ETC.,  IN  QUICKSILVER  MINING. 


NUMBER 

OF 
ESTABLISH- 
MENTS. 

FOREMEN. 

MECHANICS. 

Average  num- 
ber employed 
daily. 

Average  wages 
per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of  days 
worked. 

Average  num- 
ber employed 
daily. 

Average  wages 
per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of  days 
worked. 

I 
1 

1 
1 
1 
I 
1 
1 

1 
2 
1 

$2.90 
10.33 
2.81 

365 
369 
157 

o5 
5 
? 
1 
642 
5 
2 

$2.80 
2.50 
3.20 
3.60 
2.38 
3.00 
2.05 

301 
363 
93 
300 
306 
340 
320 

4 
1  . 

2.86 
2.75 

349 
340 

2 

2.66 

365 

>s 

11 

clO.33 
dZ.66 

c365 

ri!57 

63 

C3.60 
d2.05 

c360 
d90 

NUMBER 
OF 
ESTABLISH- 
MENTS. 

LABORERS. 

BOYS  UNDER  16  YEARS. 

Average  num- 
ber employed 
daily. 

Average  wages 
per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of'  days 
worked. 

Average  num- 
ber employed 
daily. 

Average  wages 
per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of  days 
worked. 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

ell 
15 
6 
17 
/87 
098 
38 
/12 
/2 

$1.38 
1.75 
2.00 
1.73 
1.18 
1.94 
2.00 
1.30 
1.37 

300 
'  360 
300 
265 
"284 
281 
340 
300 
308 

3 

1 

$0.75 
1.00 

187 
310 

9 

286 

c2.00 
til.  18 

c3CO 
d265 

4 

cl.OO 
dO.  75 

c310 
d!87 

a  Mechanics  comprise  engineers,  $2.90;  blacksmiths,  $2.90;  and  furnace  men,  $2.65  per  day. 
b  Mechanics    comprise  carpenters,  $3;    masons,    $5;   blacksmiths,    $2.10;   helpers,    $1.03;    engine  drivers, 
$2.39;  machinists  and  helpers,  $3.67  as  their  average  earnings  per  day. 
c  Highest. 
d  Lowest 

e  Laborers  embrace  men  sorting  ore,  $1.25;  teamsters,  $1.65  per  day. 
/  Chinese. 
g  Laborers  comprise  furnace  hands,  $2  to  $2. 25;  ordinary  laborers,  $2:  ore  cleaners,  $1.75  per  day. 

One  establishment  reported  42  men  employed  on  surface  and  underground  work  without  classification  or  number 
of  days  employed,  miners  at  $2.10  and  laborers  at  $1.75  per  day.  Another  establishment  reported  11  white  men  on 
surface  without  classification,  at  $2.80  per  day  for  352  days.-  These  establishments  were  not  included  in  the  tables. 

The  tables  on  the  following  page  exhibit  the  number  and  classification  of  workers  underground,  their  daily 
wages,  and  the  number  of  days  worked  during  the  year.  For  foremen  at  underground  work  the  average  wages 
ranged  from  $4.68  to  $2.75  per  day.  Miners  earned  an  average  of  $2.67  to  $1.22,  the  lowest  rate  being  for  Chinamen, 
of  whom  a  few  were  employed  at  small  establishments. 


QUICKSILVER. 


183 


TOTAL  NUMBER  OF  EMPLOYES  UNDERGROUND. 

Foremen 9 

Miners 378 

Laborers -     «134 

a  53  unclassified,  of  which  32  were  reported  as  Chinese,  without  classification,  362  days,  at  $1.17  per  day. 

WAGES  OF  FOREMEN  AND  MINERS  UNDERGROUND. 


NUMBER 

FOREMEN. 

MINERS. 

OF 
ESTABLISH- 
MENTS. 

Average  num- 
ber  employed 

daily. 

A  verage 
wages  per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of  days 
worked. 

Average  num- 
ber employed 
daily/ 

Average 
wages  per  day. 

Average  num- 
ber of  days 
worked. 

1 

1 

$2.90 

340 

a6 

$2.40 

300 

1 
1 

1 

4.00 

360 

20 
22 

2.67 
2.45 

360 
263 

1 

1 

2.75 

110 

65 

1.22 

40 

1 

2 

4.68 

306 

c233 

2.66 

279 

1 

3 

3.06 

340 

680 

1.25 

340 

1 
1 

1 

4.50 

316 

6 
6 

2.05 
1.50 

284 
336 

8 

9 

d4.68 

<*360 

378 

d2.67 

cttGO 

el.  75 

ellO 

el.  22 

c40 

a  Miners  embrace  timbermen  and  machine  drill  men. 
6  Chinese. 

c  Miners  comprise  tributers,  $2.41 ;  drillers  per  foot  on  contract,  $2.33;  drifting  on  contract,  $2.80:  timber- 
men,  $3;  blasters,  $2.75  per  day. 
d  Highest. 

WAGES  OF  LABORERS  UNDERGROUND. 


NUMBER  OF 
ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS. 

LABORERS. 

Average  number 
employed  daily. 

Average  wages 
per  day. 

Average  nnnibe 
of  days  workec 

1 

o24 

$1.  90 

29 

1 

5 

2.17 

36 

1 

1 

2.00 

86 

1 

19 

2.09 

26 

1 

a25 

1.50 

34 

1 

3 

1.65 

31 

1 

4 

1.35 

33 

7 

81 

62.17 

636 

cl.  35 

c26 

a  Laborers  embrace  helpers  and  hand  drillers  at  $1.90  per  day. 
6  Highest. 
c  Lowest. 


The  following  table  gives  the  number  of  office  force,  total  pay  of  same,  total  wages  of  all  other  employe's,  and 
the  aggregate  wages  paid  to  all  employes : 

NUMBER  OF  OFFICE  FORCE,  TOTAL  WAGES,  ETC. 


NUMBER  OF 
ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS. 

Number 
of  office  force 
employed^ 

Total  wages 
paid  to  all  em- 
ployed. 

Total  pay  of 
office  force. 

All  other 
wages. 

1 

$25,  352 

$•'5,  352 

1 

2  250 

2  250 

1 

20  93(5 

20  936 

1 

1 

30,  156 

$800 

29,  356 

1 

3 

43,  241 

2,520 

040,721 

1 

2 

27,  546 

3,900 

23,646 

1 

2 

47,  208 

3,366 

43,  842 

1' 

7 

304,  341 

17,  560 

6286,781 

1 

3 

104,  608 

5,200 

99,  408 

1 

1 

12,  591 

1,200 

rf  11,391 

1 

1 

8,060 

420 

7,640 

11 

e'M 

626,  289 

34,966 

591,  323 

a  $300  paid  to  contractors  included. 

6  $10,606  paid  to  contractors  included. 

c  Includes  1  female,  the  only  one  employed. 

d  $375  paid  to  contractors  included. 


184 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


During  the  census  decade,  1880-1889,  inclusive,  there  were  no  strikes  or  labor  troubles  of  any  kind  in  any 
of  the  mines  and  works,  and  fair  wages  for  good  work  was  the  rule  for  employers  and  employes. 

POWER. 

The  active  establishments  employed  02  steam  motors  with  a  capacity  of  2,190  horse  power,  1  electric  dvnamr 
and  motor  of  4  horse  power,  and  1  water  wheel  of  3  horse  power,  a  total  of  2,197  horse  power  in  motors  54  boilers 
were  employed,  with  a  capacity  of  2,438  horse  power.  247  animals  were  also  reported  as  employed  but  it  is 
probable  a  greater  number  were  in  use.  The  details  for  the  respective  establishments  are  shown  in  the  following 
table: 

POWER  USED  IN  QUICKSILVER  MINING  AND  REDUCTION. 


NUMBER  OF 
ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS. 

STEAM  MOTORS. 

1 

OTHER  MOTORS. 

BOILERS. 

Number 
of 
animals. 

Number. 

Horse 
power. 

Number. 

Horse 
power. 

Number. 

Horse 
power. 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

2 
5 
3 
2 
2 

29 
5 
7 

50 
230 
90 
150 
50 
185 
1,000 
170 
265 

2 
5 
2 
5 
4 
5 
23 
3 
5 

30 
140 
125 
155 
100 
400 
1,088 
200 
200 

4 
4 

4 
12 
12 

15 
114 
52 
20 
10 

2 

al 

10 

02 

2,190    j 

2 

7 

54 

2,438 

247 

a  One  water  wheel  of  3  horse  power,  and  1  dynamo  and  motor  of  4  horse  power. 

The  following  statement  gives  an  estimated  valuation  of  the  active  mines  and  works  as  nearly  as  the  same  could 
De  ascertained  °, 

VALUE  OF  QUICKSILVER  ESTABLISHMENTS. 


NUMBER  CF 
ESTAB- 
LISHMENTS. 

Total 
capital,  (a) 

Mines  and  real 
estate. 

Furnaces,  houses. 
and  other  sur- 
face improve- 
ments. 

Machinery,  sup- 
plies, tools,  and 
live  stock. 

<,>«i<'ksilver 
unsold. 

Bills   and 
accounts 
receivable. 

Other 

assets. 

1 

$590,  553 

$276,  530 

$50,  000 

$58,  850 

$96,  660 

$108  513 

1 

50,  000 

30,  000 

13,  300 

2,000 

4,700 

1 

108,  460 

65,  000 

25,  000 

10,  000 

6,460 

o  OCO 

1 

24,335 

C,  940 

14  000 

3,300 

95 

1 

32.  500 

20,  000 

5,000 

5,000 

2,500 

1 

155,000 

100,  000 

25,  000 

30,  000 

1 

27,  000 

12,  000 

5,000 

10,  000 

1 
1 
1 

50,  466 
122,  900 
59,  900 

20,  000 
50,  000 
25,  000 

10,  000 
25,  000 
15,  000 

5,000 
10,  000 
10.  000 

859 
2,900 
9,900 

$9,  C64 
25,  000 

4,943 
10,  000 

16 

112,  000 

75,  000 

35,  000 

2,000 

16 

1,  333,  114 

680,  470 

222,  300 

146,  150 

124.  (174 

34,664 

]  25,  456 

a  Estimated. 


b  Nonproductive. 


Some  mine  owners  placed  a  higher  valuation  on  their  mines  and  improvements  than  is  given  in  the  foregoing 

s  atement,  bu  ^J  P-ferred  to  take  what  may  be  considered  a  conservative  opinion  of  the  values  as  of  Decent 

oubtedly  the  original  investments  in  the  properties  were  many  times  the  amounts  of  present  estimates, 

it  must  be  remembered  that  mines  are  generally  decreased  in  value  by  the  extraction  of  ore  for  a  long  period  of 

ontmuous  work,  which  has  been  the  case  with  the  quicksilver  establishments  of  the  United  States. 

STATISTICS  FOE  EARLIER  PERIODS. 

The  earliest  records  relating  to  the  production  of  quicksilver  in  California  are  for  1850,  cinnabar  bavin-  be, 
first  discovered  there  in   1845.     But  very  little  quicksilver  was  produced  prior  to   1850,  when  active   wo  k   w, 
commenced  at  New  Almaden.     Outside  of  California  quicksilverhas  been  produced  in  2  localitS  in  tie  Un    ,' 
States:  m  Oregon,  to  the  extent  of  2,000  flasks,  and  in  Utah,  where  about  200  flasks  were  reported 


QUICKSILVER. 


185 


EARLIER    CENSUS   INFORMATION. 

Examination  of  the  United  States  census  reports  from  1790  to  1880  in  relation  to  the  quicksilver  industry  shows 
that  no  account  had  been  taken  of  the  industry  prior  to  1860.  At  that  date  and  in  the  subsequent  reports  for  1870 
and  1880  the  information  is  quite  limited.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  information  relating  to  cinnabar  and 
quicksilver  in  the  census  reports  prior  to  1890,  all  for  the  stale  of  California,  except  the  instances  noted  for  1880: 

QUICKSILVER  STATISTICS  OF  THE  CENSUS  OF  1860.  («) 


COUNTIES. 

Number  of 
establish- 
ments. 

Capital 
invested. 

Cost  of  raw 
material. 

Number  of 
hands 
employed. 

Cost  of  labor. 

Value  of 
product. 

Total 

3 

$3,112,000 

$166,  100 

335 

$159,  000 

$382,000 

1 

100,  000 

15,  400 

110 

87,  000 

152,000 

2 

3,  012,  000 

150,  700 

225 

72,000 

230,  000 

a  Census  report  for  1860,  "  Manufactures  of  the  United  States'",  pages  24,  28,  36,  722. 


b  Should  be  Monterey  county. 


The  census  of  1870,  in  the  volume  of  industry  and  wealth,  contains  3  tabular  statements  relating  to  quicksilver 
and  cinnabar,  the  latter  being  the  ore  from  which  quicksilver  is  extracted  by  roasting,  and  not  by  smelting,  as  the 
table  indicates.  It  will  be  noted  that  of  the  3  tables  the  last  gives  figures  largely  different  from  the  first  2,  although 
apparently  embracing  the  same  subject,  and  it  would  appear  that  all  are  without  real  value  for  want  of  accuracy. 


QUICKSILVER  STATISTICS  OF  THE  CENSUS  OF  1870.  (a) 


Establishments  . . 
Steam  engines: 

Number 

Horse  power . 
Water  wheels : 

Number 

Horse  power. 
Employes 


Males . 
Youth 


1 
64 

1 

12 
256 
248 


Capital $3,  500,  000 

Wages $181,  000 

Materials $837,  800 

Products $1,  027,  680 

a  Mechanical  and  manufacturing  industries,  quicksilver  smelted. 

SMELTING  INDUSTRIES,  BY  COUNTIES. 


COUNTIES. 

Establish- 
ments. 

Em- 
ployes. 

Capital. 

Wages. 

Materials. 

Products. 

Total 

4 

256 

$3,  500,  000 

$181,  000 

$837,  800 

$1,  027,  680 

1 
1 
2 

87 
75 
,94 

250,  000 
250,  000 
3,  000,  000 

70,  000 
50,000 
61,  000 

338,  600 
100,  500 
398,  700 

420,  000 
166,  230 
441,  450 

Santa  Clara  

a  Should  be  Monterey  county. 
CINNABAR  INDUSTRIES. 


COUNTIES. 

Estab- 
lish- 
ments. 

STEAM  ENGINES. 

EMPLOYES. 

Capital. 

Wages. 

Mate- 
rials. 

. 
Products. 

Num- 
ber. 

Horse 
power. 

Total. 

Men 
above 
ground. 

Men 
below 
ground. 

Boys 
above 
ground. 

Total  

4 

3 

71 

811 

410 

382 

19 

$11,  900,  000 

$599,  000 

$30,700  {    $817,700 

Fresno  (a)  

1 
1 
2 

263 

75 
473 

263 
75 

72 

150,  000 
250,  000 
11,500,000 

215,  000 
50,  000 
334.  000 

2,000 
6,500 
22,  200 

330,000 
100,  000 
387,  700 

Lake  

Santa  Clara  

3 

71 

382 

19 

a  Should  be  Monterey  county. 


On  page  767  of  volume  in,  Ninth  Census  reports,  the  total  of  the  above  figures  is  given  as  the  amount  of 
cinnabar  produced  in  the  United  States. 


186  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

In  the  Tenth  Census  reports  of  1880  all  that  relates  to  quicksilver  and  cinnabar  is  to  be  found  in  volume  xm, 
"Precious  metals".  No  statements  of  production,  employes,  cost,  etc.,  are  given,  but  the  localities  of  important 
deposits  are  mentioned,  and  will  be  referred  to  for  comparison : 

Ciliiiabar  is  the  only  quicksilver  ore  of  commercial  importance,  and  it  is  found  in  numerous  localities  in  California,  in  the  coast 
range  of  mountains  for  100  or  150  miles  north  and  south  of  San  Francisco,  not  in  well-defined  veins,  but  commonly  in  irregular  bodies 
distributed  through  metamorphir  rocks  of  cretaceous  age.  The  usual  gangue  minerals  are. quartz,  calcite,  and  magiiesite. 

In  the  New  Almaden  mine,  which  has  been  much  more  extensively  worked  than  any  other  in  the  state,  these  bodies  appear,  from  a 
model  constructed  by  the  owners,  to  lie  on  a  curved  surface,  indicating  a  geometrical  relation  between  the  positions  of  the  several  ore 
bodies,  though  an  obscure  one.  At  this  mine  the  masses  of  ore  are  usually  connected  by  tiny  seams  of  the  same  material.  There  is  a 
strong  similarity  between  this  mode  of  occurrence  and  that  of  many  lead-ore  deposits  on  the  limestone,  and  it  may  be  that  the  problem  of 
their  true  character  is  the  same. 

The  quicksilver  country  north  of  San  Francisco  is  a  volcanic  region,  while  to  the  south  volcanic  rocks  are  .subordinate  in  some 
localities  and  wanting  in  others.  No  general  inference  as  to  the  genesis  or  age  of  the  deposits  can  be  drawn  without  further  investigation, 
while  the  great  similarity  in  the  association  of  minerals  suggests  similar  origin  for  most  of  them,  (a) 

As  in  the  census  reports  of  1860  and  1870,  in  1880  Fresno  county  is  credited  with  the  possession  of  the  New  Idria 
mine,  which  at  the  last  date  properly  belongs  to  and  is. included  in  the  boundaries  of  the  adjoining  county  of  Sail 
Benito.  This  mine  is  yet  in  operation,  though  no  longer  of  importance,  (b)  The  ore  is  distributed  in  metainorphic 
sandstone  and  shale  (c).  The  mines  mentioned  as  in  Lake  county,  the  Great  Western  and  Sulphur  Bank,  are  still 
operated  with  diminished  results  (fr),  and  in  Napa  county  (d)  the  Kediugton  mine  is  no  longer  "one  of  the  most 
important  quicksilver  producers  in  the  state";  while  the  Napa  Consolidated  mine,  also  mentioned,  is  now  included 
with  the  largest  producers  (6).  The  occurrence  of  cinnabar  is  noted  in  San  Luis  Obispo  county  (e),  but  the  mines 
named,  the  Oceanic  and  Polar  Star,  have  ceased  to  be  producers,  and  no  others  have  replaced  them. 

The  chief  mineral  resources  of  Santa  Clara  county  (/)  are  stated  to  be  the  cinnabar  deposits  of  New  Almaden 
and  Guadalupe,  and  this  still  continues  to  be  the  case,  although  the  last  named  has  not  been  an  active  establishment 
since  1885.  The  New  Almaden  mine  is  still  the  largest  quicksilver  producer  in  the  United  States,  but  its  yearly 
yield  is  much  less  than  formerly,  (b) 

Santa  Barbara  county  ({/}  is  the  most  southern  point  where  the  occurrence  of  cinnabar  is  noted,  and  its  single  mine, 
Las  Prietas,  has  long  ceased  to  be  active.  The  Great  Eastern  is  named  as  the  chief  mine  in  Sonoma  county  (#),  and 
it  is  now  the  only  one  in  operation  there.  Reference  is  made  to  the  Altoona  mine,  in  Trinity  county  (#),  now  classed, 
with  the  inactive  mines,  and  that  closes  the  list  for  California  in  the  Tenth  Census. 

Douglas  county,  Oregon  (</),  is  credited  with  the  New  Idrian  mine,  which  still  exists  under  another  name,  but 
was  not  a  producer  at  the  Eleventh  Census.  In  the  tables  of  the  present  report  for  the  Eleventh  Census  2  other 
mines  in  the  same  county  are  included  under  the  head  of  "Unproductive  mines",  but  they  show  fair  promise  for  future 
production.  The  occurrence  of  ore  seems  to  be  similar  to  that  of  California  mines,  and  it  represents  the  northern 
end  of  the  series  of  deposits,  the  southern  extremity  of  which  is  in  Santa  Barbara  county,  California.  "It  would 
be  incorrect,  however,  to  characterize  the  entire  series  as  a  'belt',  for  toward  the  north  the  known  occurrences  are 
at  long  intervals."  (g)  The  considerable  quantities  of  float  cinnabar  mentioned  as  having  been  found  in  Idaho  (h)  are 
not  known  to  have  added  to  the  quicksilver  supply,  and  if  there  are  any  quicksilver  mines  in  that  state  they  have 
not  been  reported. 

Utah  is  the  last  on  the  list,  "  with  several  quicksilver  claims,  the  most  important  of  which  are  the  Geyser  and 
Jenny  Lind".  In  1880  the  developments  were  "very  limited,  no  attempts  having  been  made  to  reduce  the  ore"  (•/), 
and  since  that  date  they  have  made  no  sign.  Mention  is  also  made  of  cinnabar  in  Piute  county.  After  the  Tenth 
Census  year  this  claim  was  worked  as  the  Lucky  Boy  mine.  It  is  situated  about  6  miles  south  of  Marysville,  and 
was  idle  in  1880.  Previously  it  had  produced  about  200  flasks  of  quicksilver.  The  ore  is  a  selenide  of  mercury. 

In  1889  Colorado  and  Arizona  made  claims  to  recognition  as  having  cinnabar  deposits.  No  quicksilver  has  been 
produced  within  their  borders,  but  specimens  of  low-grade  ores  are  reported. 


a  Compare  Tenth  Census,  volume  xui;  United  States  geological  survey,  volume  xm,  and  Professor  S.B.Christy,  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Arts, 
-volume  xvn,  June,  1879. 

b  See  tables  of  yearly  production,  page  188. 
c  Tenth  Census  report,  volume  xm,  page  18. 
d  Tenth  Census  report,  volume  XIII,  pages  19  and  20. 
e  Tentli  Census  report,  volume  xm,  page  23. 
/Tenth  Census  report,  volume  xm.  page  24. 
g  Tenth  Census  report,  volume  xm,  pages  24,  25,  26,  and  27. 
h  Tenth  Census  report,  volume  xm.  page  5.">. 
i  Tenth  Census  report,  volume  xm,  pages  455  and  462. 


OMSHS  ol'tlu-  fiuted  States. 


Koliprt  P.  Porter,  SHjMiriiit.-iul.-iit. 


PRODUCTION 
FLASKS. 


HIGHEST  PRICE 
LOWEST  PRICE 

PRODUCTION 


35000 


30000 


25000 


20000 


15  000 


10000 


5000 


55.00 


•  50.00 


45.oo 


40.oo 


35.oo 


SO.oo 


25.oo 


PRODUCT  AND  PRICE  OF  QUICKSILVER  FROM  I85O  TO  I89O  BY  J.B.RANDOL 


QUICKSILVER. 


187 


PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  I^T  THE  UNITED  STATES,  BY  DECADES. 

In  the  following'  table  is  presented  the  production  of  quicksilver  in  California,  which  includes  the  whole 
production  of  the  United  States  for  the  census  year  1850  to  the  calendar  year  1890,  both  inclusive.  It  is  given, 
in  addition  to  the  detailed  tables  which  follow,  for  the  purpose  of  showing  at  a  glance  the  rise  and  decline  of  the 
industry. 

QUICKSILVER  PRODUCTION  IN  CALIFORNIA  AT  PERIODS  OF  10  YEARS  FROM  1850  TO  1890. 

[Flasks.] 


TEAKS. 

Total. 

New  Al- 
madeii. 

New 
Itlria. 

(iuaila- 
lupe. 

Rediug- 
ton. 

Pope 
Valley. 

Sulphur 
Bank. 

Great 
West- 
ern. 

Napa 

Consol- 
idated. 

('.rent 

East- 
ern. 

Altoona. 

Oak- 
laud. 

Cali- 
fornia. 

Brad- 
ford. 

/Etna. 

Various 
mines. 

185J 

7  723 

7,723 

I860 

10  000 

7,061 

1,469 

1,470 

1870 

30  077 

14  493 

9  888 

4,546 

1,  220 

1880 

59  926 

23,  465 

3,  209 

6,  670 

2,139 

275 

10,  706 

0,442 

a4,  416 

1,279 

245 

166 

422 

&492 

1890            ' 

22  996 

12  000 

977 

505 

1  608 

1,334 

2,498 

1,046 

1  290 

931 

c737 

a  Including  .Ktna. 


b  From  the  Saint  John  mine. 


c  Principally  from  the  Manhattan  mine. 


Iii  the  following-  table  the  total  product  of  quicksilver  for  the  United  States  in  each  year  of  the  industry  is 
associated  with  its  approximate  value : 

ANNUAL  QUICKSILVER  PRODUCT  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES,  WITH  ITS  VALUE. 


YEARS. 

Yield  in 
California. 
(Flasks.) 

Approximate 
valuation. 

YEARS. 

Yield  in 
California. 

(Flasks.) 

Approximate 
valuation. 

Total  1850-1859  .  . 

242,  994 

$13,  717,  000 

Total  1870-1879  .  . 

491,  066 

$24,  322,  500 

1850 

7  723 

768  000 

1870         .  . 

30  077 

1  795  500 

1851  

27,  779 

1,  859,  000 

1871  

31,  686 

1,  999  500 

1852 

20,  000 

1,  166  500 

1872      

31,  621 

2,  086  000 

1853 

22  284 

1  235  500 

1873 

27  642 

2  226  500 

1854  

30,004 

1,  665,  500 

1874    

27,  756 

2,  919.  000 

1855 

33,  000 

1  768,000 

1875 

"50,  250 

2  721,  000 

1856 

30  000 

1  549  500 

1876 

75  074 

3  303  000 

1857       

28,  204 

1,  402,  000 

1877  

79,  396 

3,  041,  000 

1858 

31,  000 

1,482  500 

1878 

63,880 

2,  101,  500 

1859 

13,  000 

820  500 

1879 

73,684 

2,199  500 

Total  1860-1869  .  . 

403,  109 

17,  738,  000 

Total  1880-188!)  .  . 

«407,  675 

13,  480,  500 

1860 

10,  000 

535  500 

1880 

59  926 

1  860  000 

1861 

35  000 

1  473  500 

1881 

60  851 

1  810  000 

1862 

42  000 

1  526  500 

1882 

52  732 

1  500  000 

1863 

40  531 

1  705  000 

1883 

46  725 

1  275  000 

1864    

47,  489 

1,  761,  500 

1884 

31,  913 

975  000 

1865 

53  000 

2  433  000 

1885 

32,  073 

970  000 

1866 

46  550 

2  403  000 

1886 

29  981 

1  060  000 

1867    

47,  000 

2,  157,  000 

1887  

«33,  760 

1  425  000 

1868 

47,  728 

2,  191,  000 

1888 

33,  250 

1  415  000 

1869 

33,  811 

1  552,000 

1889 

a26  464 

1  190  500 

a  65  flasks  in  1887  and  20  flasks  in  1889  from  Oregon  not  included. 


RECAPITULATION, 


DECADES. 

Flasks. 

Value. 

Total   

ol,  544,  844 

$69  258  000 

1850  1859  ..  .  . 

242  994 

13  717  000 

I860  1869 

403  109 

17  738  000 

1870  1879 

491  066 

24  322  500 

1880  1889 

o407  675 

13  480  500 

a  85  flasks  from  Oregon  not  included. 


188 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  annual  contribution  which  each  mine  has  made  to  the  total  product  is  given  below: 

TOTAL  PRODUCT  OF  CALIFORNIA  QUICKSILVER,  BY  MINES. 

[Flasks.] 


YEAKS. 

Total. 

New 
Almaden. 

New  Idria 

Redington 

Sulphur 
Bank. 

Guadalup* 

Great 
'    Western. 

.Etna. 

Napa  Con 
solldated. 

Great         ,, 
Eastern.      Bradford. 

Total  

1,  544,  929 

7,723 
27,  779 
20,000 
22,284 
30,  004 
33,  000 
30,  000 

904,  359 

7,723 
27,  779 
15,  901 
22,284 
30,  004 
29,  142 
27,  138 

132,  214 

99,264 

83,  475 

55,  910 

57,  OC3 

11,557 
!  

48,  847 

14.  944                   7t  093 

1850  
1851  
1852  
1853  
1854  
1855  
1856  
1857 

1858  
1859  ', 
1860  
1861  
1862  
1863  
1864  
1865  
1866  
1867  
1868  
1869  

31,  000 
13,  000 
10,  000 
35,  000 
42,000 
40,  531 
47,  489 
53,000 
46,  550 
47,  000 
47,  728 
33,  811 
30,  077 
31,  686 
31,  621 
27,642 
27,  756 
50,  250 
75,  074 
79,396 
63,880 
73,684 
59,  926 
60,851 
52,  732 
46,725 
31,  913 
32,073 
29,981 
33,  825 
33,  250     ! 
2C,484 

28,  204 
25,  761 
1,294- 
7,061 
34,429 
39,  671 
32,  803 
42,489 
47,  194 
35,  150 
24,461 
25,  628 
16,  898 
14,  423 
18,568 
18,  574 
11,042 
9,084 
13,648 
20,549 
23,996 
15,  852 
20,  514 
23,  465 
26,  060 
28,  070 
29,  000 
20,  000 
21,  400 
18,  000 
20,  000 
18,  000 
13,  100 

6,525 
11,  493 
12,  180 
10,  315 

444 
852 
1,914 
3,545 
2,254 
7,862 
8,686 
5,018 
4,546 
2,128 
3,046 
3,294 
6,678 
7,  513 
9,183 
9,399 
6,686 
4,516 
2,139 
2,194 
2,171 
1,894 
881 
385 
409 
689 
120 
812     ! 

1871  
1872  
1873  
1874  

18" 

9,888 
8,180 
8,171 
7,735 
6,911 
8,432 
7,272 
6,316 
5,138 
4,425 
3,209 
2,775 
1,953 
1,606 
1,025 
3,469 
1,406 
1,490 
1,320 
980     : 

573 
5,372 
8,367 
10,993 
9,465 
9,249 
10,  706 
11,  152 
5,014 
2,612 
890 
1,296 
1,449 
1,890 
2,164 
2,283 

340 
1,122 
3,384 
4,322 
5,856 
4,963 
6,333 
6.442 
6,241 
5.179 
3,869 
3,292 
1,144 
1,949 
],446 
C25 
556 

1876 

3,342 
7,381 
6,241 
9,072 
15,540 
6,670 
5,228 
1,138 
84 
1,179 
35 

4191 

1877 

573 
2,229 
3,049 
3,605 
04,416 
ao,  552 
a6,  842 
«5,  890 
1,376 
2,197 
1,769 
2.6E4 
4,  C65 
4,590 

387      ... 

1878 

505 

1879 

1,366 

1880 

1,  455      ... 

1881 

1,  279      .  . 

1882 

1,065      .... 

1883 

2,  124      ... 

1884 

1,  669      . 

1885  

2,931 
1.309 
3,  478 
2,880 
959 

332      

1886  

44G  •!  

1887 

735 

1888 

673                   1,;,71 
1,151                  0,848 
1,345                  1,874 

1889 

!  '  

a  Including  ^tna. 


189 


QUICKSILVER. 

TOTAL  PRODUCT  OF  CALIFORNIA  QUICKSILVER,  BY  MINES— Continued. 

[Flasks.] 


YEARS. 

Pope 
Valley. 

Saint 
John. 

Altooiia. 

Oceanic. 

Oakland. 

California. 

Sunder- 
land. 

Cloverdale. 

Abbott. 

Manhattan. 

Various 

mines. 

Total                    

18,  097 

8,598 

7,527 

7,391 

6,831 

5,653 

2,777 

2,661 

2,272 

1,415 

66  981 

1850                             

1851 

1852                                     .   .. 

4  099 

1853 

1854  

1855  

3,858 

1856  

2,862 

1857 

1858  

5,239 

1859  

11,  706 

1860  

2,939 

1861 

571 

1802  

1,885 

1863 

6,876 

1864 

800 

2  286 

1865  

2,261 

1866 

2,621 

1867  

3,184 

1868  

1,  122 

112 

1869  

1,580 

:::::::::::: 

1870  ... 

1,220 

1871  

1,970 

840 

1872 

1  830 

1873  

1  955 

3,276 

1874  

1  645 

1  743 

1875 

1  940 

1  927 

533 

3,747 

1876  

300 

1,683 

1,979 

2,  358* 

2,150 

965 

1  570 

'  028 

1,436 

976 

2,  595 

1877  

1,060 

1,463 

1,317 

2,  575 

1,395 

1,516 

735 

1,  291 

336 

439 

1,234 

1878  

1,075 

1,534 

1,679 

1,615 

1,640 

472 

116 

158 

1879  

1,325 

1,290 

1,919 

779 

1,505 

1  110 

18 

101 

1880  

275 

492 

245 

166 

422 

1881  

208 

376 

1882  

241 

1883  

101 

1884  

7 

1885  

392 

1886  

786 

1887  

«692 

1888  

992 

1889  

6944 

a  Including  65  flasks  from  Oregon. 


b  Including  20  flasks  from  Oregon. 


It  is  possible  also  from  the  existing  records  to  present  the  statistics  of  production  for  every  mine  in  each  month 

for  the  last  10  years,  as  follows : 

**% 

PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  CALIFORNIA  FROM^jgft  TO  1889,  BY  MONTHS. 

[Flasks.]  /% 

isso.  w 


MONTHS. 

Total. 

New 
Almaden. 

New  Idria. 

Redington. 

Sulphur* 
Bank. 

Guadalupe! 

"* 

Great 
"Western. 

,-Kt  na.  (a) 

Napa.  (a) 

Great 
Eastern. 

Bradford. 

Various 
mines. 

Total  

59,  926 

23.  465 

3  209 

2  139 

10  706r> 

/  '(5670 

6  442 

4  416 

1  279 

1  600 

January  

4  670 

1  539 

203 

142 

760 

1  000 

550 

205 

39 

232 

February  

4  895 

1  809 

96 

310 

965 

535 

565 

375 

110 

130 

March  

5,977 

2  155 

443 

239 

1  286 

730 

565 

251 

210 

98 

April  

4,261 

1  667 

165 

. 
103 

611 

645 

574 

161 

96 

239 

May  

5,351 

1  938 

226 

356 

1  130 

560 

572 

315 

164 

90 

June  

5,283 

1  985 

'69 

127 

819 

550 

583 

420 

142 

386 

July  

4,189 

1  688 

250 

135 

933 

540 

455 

118 

70 

August  

5,260 

2  360 

312 

189 

878 

340 

525 

455 

133 

68 

September  

4,708 

">  166 

245 

175 

687 

300 

452 

480 

122 

81 

October  

5,275 

1  858 

216 

166 

865 

1  100 

557 

358 

57 

9g 

November    

5,748 

2  238 

539 

96 

1  209 

540 

467 

591 

42 

66 

December  

4,309 

2  062 

945 

101 

563 

410 

490 

350 

46 

42 

a  Production  of  jEtna  and  Napa  mines  from  1880  to  1883  under  heading  of  Nafta  mine. 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  CALIFORNIA  FROM  1880  TO  1889,  BY  MONTHS— Continued. 

[Flasks.] 
1881. 


MONTH&* 

Total. 

New 
Almaden. 

New  Idria. 

Redington. 

Sulphur 
Bank. 

Guadalupe. 

Great 
Western. 

JEtna.  (a)      Napa.  (a) 

Great 
Eastern. 

Bradford. 

Various 
mines. 

Total 

60,  851 

26,060 

2,775 

2,194 

11,152     j          5,228 

6,241 

5,552 

1,065 

584 

5,861 
4,261 
5,560 
5,071 
4,889 
5,564 
5,188 
5,350 
4,965 
4,965 
5,232 
3,945 

2,259 
2,187 
2,466 
2,507 
1,346 
1,780 
2,208 
2,260 
2,090 
2,223 
2,572 
2,162 

330 

171 
206 
158 
200 
201 
110 
209 
212 
140 
577 
261 

140 
32 
354 
284 
218 
196 
160 
190 
187 
165 
180 
88 

895 

635 
1,100 
706 
1,  163 
1,463 
1.057 
1,139 
1,076 
969 
588 
361 

1,300 

600 
350 
357 
500 
340 
255 
300 
201 
400 
375 
250 

"451 

400 
447 
681 
801 
714 
585 
457 
414 
434 
458 

430 
233 
505 
466 
659 
621 
481 
490 
592 
485 
310 
280 

13 

43 

4 

179 
123 
97 
94 
47 
57 
113 
106 
166 
70 

\pril 

23 
25 

150 
12J 
37 
G3 

li  i 
15 

May 

July 

1882. 


Total 

52  732 

28  070 

1  953 

2  171 

5  014     i          1,  138 

5,179 

6,842 

2  124 

241 

3  664 

1  632 

179 

178 

623     j                50 

395 

430 

144 

33 

3  767 

1  924 

121 

145 

460     '•              210 

348 

440 

98 

21 

March  

3  946 

2  078 

160 

70 

359                  200 

505 

459 

91 

24 

April  

4,  027 

2,110 

127 

174 

319                  229 

486 

525 

May  .  . 

4,611 

2  446 

269 

211 

354    ;                13 

521 

737 

55 

5 

June  

4  167 

2  318 

121 

131 

522     •                30 

456 

485 

76 

°8 

July  

4,381 

2  522 

169 

195 

579     <  

410 

380 

111 

15 

August  

4  685 

2  432 

130 

184 

418                    50 

490 

582 

388 

September  

5,209 

2,766 

129 

225 

430                  140 

513 

641 

348 

17 

October  

5  129 

2  844 

266 

251 

370                    60 

516 

580 

229 

13 

November  

4  511 

2  619 

156 

96 

280     i                81 

200 

718 

306 

55 

December  

4,635 

2  379 

126 

311 

300     i                75 

339 

865 

221 

19 

1883. 


1884. 


Total  

46,  725 

29  000 

1  606 

1  894 

2  612 

84 

3  869 

5  890 

1,669 

101 
1U1 

4  582 

o  497 

112 

367 

280 

77 

?90 

590 

262 

February  

3,600 

2  150 

133 

181 

310 

7 

364    '  .. 

'G5 

156 

March   

3  875 

2  230 

142 

202 

335 

305 

485 

162 

April  

3,354 

1,756 

76 

243 

310 

294           ... 

530 

142 

3 

May  .  .  . 

3,768 

2  344 

144 

135 

350 

293 

325 

164 

13 

June  

3,561 

2  214 

137 

165 

91 

400     '  

360 

184 

10 

Julv  .  .  . 

4,024 

2  618 

85 

141 

130 

446 

452 

150 

0 

August  

4,431 

3,000 

139 

94 

112 

315      

695 

76 

September  

4,642 

3  010 

164 

45 

265 

297      .  .  . 

750 

81 

30 

October  

4,129 

2,672 

272 

109 

206 

215      

521 

134 

November  

3,488 

2,  212 

115 

78 

160 

208      

613 

102 

December  

3,271 

2,297 

87 

134 

63 

342 

274 

56 

18 

Total 

31  913 

20  000 

1  025 

881 

890 

1  179 

3  292 

*>  931 

1  376 

:>3° 

1 

. 

2,805 

1,440 

103 

127 

263 

373 

329 

135 

98 

7 

2,321 

1,458 

59 

104 

241 

276 

174 

0 

2.459 

1,606 

36 

123 

68 

223. 

249 

152 

2 

April  

2,  709 

1,785 

75 

50 

76 

232 

422 

69 

May  .  . 

2,  470 

1,672 

125 

53 

200 

169 

245 

6 

June  

2.694 

1,859 

44 

118 

200 

258 

215 

July   

2  628 

1,543 

29 

71 

52 

200 

258 

374 

101 

2,  912 

1  804 

63 

47 

20 

306 

334 

228 

110 

September  

2,377 

1,448 

67 

52 

35 

58 

354 

136 

169 

58 

October  

2,668 

1  625 

115 

68 

25 

160 

328 

153 

90 

104 

November  

2,985 

1  900 

157 

32 

53 

150 

230 

132 

240 

91 

December  

2,885 

1  860 

152 

36 

98 

105 

292 

172 

130 

40 

a  Production  of  .2Etna  and  Napa  mines  from  1880  to  1883  under  beading  of  Napa  mine. 


QUICKSILVER, 


191 


PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  CALIFORNIA  FROM  1880  TO  1889,  BY  MONTHS— Continued. 

[  Flasks.  1 
1885. 


MONTHS. 

Total. 

New 
Almaden. 

New  Idria. 

Redington. 

Sulphur 
Bank. 

Gunilulupc. 

Great 
Western. 

JStna. 

Napa. 

Great 
Eastern. 

Bradford. 

Various 
mines. 

Total          

32,  073 

21,  400 

3.469 

385 

1,296 

35 

1,144 

1,309 

2,197 

446 

392 

2  483 

1  700 

172 

40 

24 

190 

189 

131 

37 

2,316 

1,506 

245 

24 

85 

35 

70 

96 

180 

75 

0  262 

1  500 

314 

83 

80 

88 

145 

33 

19 

April 

2  816 

2  003 

340 

69 

80 

142 

145 

37 

2  793 

•>  000 

269 

194 

75 

62 

190 

3 

2  713 

1  750 

330 

50 

91 

62 

112 

250 

63 

5 

July 

2  694 

1  750 

321 

43 

209 

45 

191 

50 

10 

3  047 

2  104 

324 

49 

150 

SO 

118 

175 

47 

2  978 

1  936 

347 

57 

85 

65 

201 

180 



77 

2  468 

1  598 

236 

42 

123 

85 

52 

185 

65 

82 

2  468 

1  576 

292 

43 

01 

122 

54 

190 

43 

87 

3  035 

1  977 

279 

122 

130 

15J 

235 

43 

69 

1886. 


Total 

29  981 

18  000 

1  406 

409 

1,449 

1  949 

3,478 

1  769 

735 

786 

2  398 

1,431 

70 

42 

100 

339 

162 

fc? 

73 

34 

2  103 

1  100 

175 

24 

K8 

274 

132 

192 

53 

45 

Harch    

2,425 

1,522 

20 

21 

91 

226 

209 

218 

43 

75 

2,293 

1  256 

90 

36 

172 

115 

328 

172 

62 

C2 

May 

">  381 

1  600 

101 

18 

36 

99 

228 

128 

76 

95 

2,  722 

1,806 

110 

19 

113 

126 

276 

123 

71 

78 

Fuly 

2  601 

1  572 

95 

24 

98 

138 

345 

138 

64 

127 

2  202 

1  240 

105 

35 

119 

156 

313 

74 

76 

84 

2,108 

1,210 

179 

30 

100 

107 

303 

82 

64 

83 

2  390 

1  280 

106 

50 

150 

171 

392 

124 

65 

52 

November  

3.  232 

1,900 

180 

76 

191 

109 

477 

209 

£5 

35 

3,126 

2,083 

175 

34 

171 

89 

313 

162 

33 

66 

1887. 


Total  

33,  760 

20.  000 

1,490 

689 

1,  893 

1,446 

2  880 

2  694 

673 

1  371                  697 

3  077 

1  9?4 

185 

51 

162 

56 

450 

181 

76 

12 

February  

2,408 

1,700 

40 

149. 

86 

240 

150 

43 

March  

2.556 

1,584 

95 

74 

110 

105 

125 

275 

48 

140 

April  

2.  586 

1,671 

105 

91 

157 

90 

200 

212 

29 

31 

May  

2,830 

2  040 

50 

80 

126 

152 

100 

215 

27 

'               40 

2,822 

1.700 

170 

82 

127 

126 

200 

220 

93 

104 

2,820 

1  567 

125 

56 

175 

194 

200 

205 

57 

201                    40 

2  781 

1  517 

90 

72 

160 

108 

200 

275 

61 

220                    78 

September  

2,923 

1,535 

120 

26 

297 

123 

400 

160 

42 

195                    25 

' 
2,859 

1,405 

140 

66 

171 

132 

300 

304 

64 

228                   49 

2,613 

1,225 

214 

82 

113 

127 

165 

947 

71 

295                    74 

December  

3,485 

2,152 

156 

9 

143 

147 

300 

250 

62 

232                    34 

1888. 


Total 

33  250 

18  000 

1  320 

126 

2  164 

625 

959 

4  065 

1  151 

3  848 

992 

3  949 

2  650 

118 

292 

61 

''46 

035 

84 

179 

84 

February  

2,733 

1,730 

82 

\ 

156 

64 

105 

233 

79 

243 

r)l 

March  

2,  481 

1,400 

90 

150 

43 

95 

288 

108 

270 

37 

April  

2,  862 

1  579 

110 

138 

95 

143 

324 

153 

292 

28 

3,  037 

1  610 

195 

155 

69 

226 

3''0 

80 

357 

95 

2,  956 

1  500 

120 

189 

94 

345 

110 

454 

118 

Julv  

2,359 

1  100 

120 

167 

34 

50 

248 

94 

463 

83 

August  

2,547 

1,109 

110 

215 

•'9 

347 

93 

527 

117 

September  

2,348 

1,178 

60 

195 

42 

370 

58 

357 

88 

2,635 

1,269 

185 

36 

180 

47 

440 

88 

294 

96 

2,  604    . 

1,400 

90 

30 

176 

98 

475 

82 

220 

103 

2,739 

1,475 

110 

60 

151 

450 

122 

192 

92 

192 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  CALIFORNIA  FROM  1880  TO  1889,  BY  MONTHS— Continued. 

[Flasks.] 
1889. 


MONTHS. 

Total. 

New 
Almaden. 

Xewldria. 

Kedington. 

Sulphur 
Bank. 

Guadalupe. 

Great 
Western. 

556 

2Etna.            Is'apa. 

E^n.       B™,lford. 

Various 
mines. 

26,464 

13,100 

980 

812 

2.283 

. 

4,590 

1,345 

1,874 

924 

•j,  :;:i? 
1,813 
2,217 
2,203 
2,085 
2,218 
2,066 
2,223 
2,073 
2,  453 
2,  492 
2,284 

1,200 
820 
1,290 
1.249 
870 
950 
966 
1,000 
970 
1,300 
1,300 
1,185 

65 
65 
70 
70 
70 

75 
i 
70 

70 
75 
80 
130 
14'J 

178 

173 
175 
215 

81 
45 
34 
30 

385 

400 
380 
320 
445 
415 
340 
450 
360 
385 
380 
330 

94 

76 
89 
92 
97 
211 
135 
168 
77 
87 
107 
112 

230 
182 
116 
119 
132 
152 
110 
170 
136 
214 
134 
179 

109 
52 
63 
108 
73 
63 
63 
68 
61 
64 
72 
122 

May 

206 
117 
124 
64 
73 
89 
139 

192 
235 
211 
216 
224 
164 
150 
155 

Jnlv 

41 

17 
97 
70 
80 
61 

In  collecting  the  data  tor  the  world's  production  of  quicksilver  every  effort  was  made  to  obtain  some  reliable 
statistics  of  the  production  of  quicksilver  in  Mexico  and  China,  but  without  success  at  the  time  of  making'  this  report. 

THE  WORLD'S  PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  FOR  10  YEARS,  (a) 


YEARS. 

Total  supply. 

California. 

SPAIN. 

AUSTRIA  -HUNGARY. 

Italy. 

Russia. 

Estimated 
consumption. 

Estimated 
stock  in  Lon- 
don, England. 

Ahnadeu. 

Various.  (6) 

T   1      • 

Idna. 

Various,  (c) 

Total  

1,  146,  741 

d407,  675 

485,  939 

16,  273 

1  35,  403 

8,808 

e75,  704 

16,  939 

1,  142,  890 

1880 

122,  536 
122,  678 
119,  394 
118,  858 
105,  430 
101,  748 
107,  588 
116,  711 
117,  956 
113,  842 

59,  926 
60,  851 
52,  732 
46,  725 
31,  913 
32,  073 
29,  981 
33,760 
33,  250 
26,464 

45,  322 
44,989 
46,  716 
49,  177 
48,  098 
45,  813 
51,  199 
53,  276 
51,  872 
49,  477 

(/) 
(/) 
2,795 
2,165 
2,219 
2,046 
2,277 
2,894 
1,877 
(/) 

12,  356 
11,333 
11,663 
13,  152 
13,  967 
13,  503 
14,496 
14,  676 
14,  962 
15,  295 

712 
720 
588 
709 
733 
773 
1,400 
1,030 
1,018 
01,  125 

4,220 
4,785 
4,900 
6,930 
8,500 
7,540 
8,235 
9,  220 
10,  200 
11,  174 

95,600 
106,  300 
116,  200 
124,  800 
111,300 
108,  300 
123,  050 
131,  700 
109,  909 
115,  740 

68,  500 
84,  899 
83,  000 
82,  014 
76,  105 
69,  467 
54,000 
39,000 
47,  000 
45,  100 

1881 

1882                       

1883 

1884              

1885 

1886 

1887          

1,855 

4,777 
10,  307 

1888        

1889 

a  In  the  United  States  the  flask  contains  76.5  pounds  avoirdupois,  or  34.7  kilograms ;  in  Spain,  Austria-Hungary,  Italy,  Russia,  and  elsewhere,  only  34.5 
kilograms. 

b  Comprises  mines  in  the  provinces  of  Oviedo,  Granada,  and  Cuidad  Real. 

c  Comprises  mines  in  Carniola  and  Hungary. 

d  In  1887  Oregon  produced  65  flasks  and  in  1889  20  flasks,  which  are  not  included  in  this  total. 

f  Figures  taken  from  monograph  on  the  quicksilver  mines  of  Monte  Amiata,  by  Mr.  P.  de  Ferrari,  M.  E.,  1889. 

/Quantities  unknown. 

(j  Comprises  mines  in  Carniola  only,  the  production  of  Hungary  not  being  known. 


QUICKSILVER. 


193 


The  following  table  is  published  simply  to  show  the  various  statistics  which  have  appeared  as  to  the  production 
of  quicksilver  in  Italy : 

VARIOUS  STATEMENTS  AS  TO  THE  PRODUCTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  ITALY. 

[Flasks.] 


PRODUCTION. 

YEARS. 

Letter  from 
Rome,  (a) 

De  Ferrari's 
table.  (6) 

De  Ferrari's 
table,  (c) 

Total                       .... 

67  726  9 

66  689  4 

75  704 

1880        

3  314  3 

3  343  1 

4  290 

1881            

4  755  3 

3  689  0 

4  785 

1882              ---              

4  034  8 

4  034  8 

4  900 

]  883         

5,  936.  9 

5  936  9 

6  930 

1884                

7  694  9 

7  694  9 

8  500 

1885              

6  830  3 

6  830  3 

7  540 

1886                       

7  233  8 

7  233  8 

8  235 

1887          

7,  032.  1 

7  032  1 

9  220 

1888            

9  770  0 

9  770  0 

10  200 

1889              

11  124  5 

11  124  5 

11  174 

a  Letter  from  D'Amiani,  under  secretary  of  state  of  Ms  majesty's  foreign  affairs  at  Rome,  dated 
August  8, 1890. 

6  From  table,  page  145,  of  P.  de  Ferrari's  monograph  "Le  miniere  di  mercuriodel  Monte  Amiata". 
c  From  table,  page  146,  of-  same,  giving  production  of  Monte  Amiata  in  flasks. 

PRICES  PER  FLASK  OBTAINED  IN  NEW  YORK  FOR  CALIFORNIA  QUICKSILVER  IN  1889. 


MONTHS. 

Prices 
obtained  in 
New  York. 

Netting  in 
San  Fran- 
cisco, 
freight  and 
drayage 
$i:30. 

Rothschild's  quotation  and 
equivalent  for  quicksilver 
laid  down  in  New  York, 
duty  added. 

Laid  down 
in 
New  York, 
duty  added. 

London 
outsiders' 
price. 

January  — 

$44.00 
43.00 

43.25 
40.00 

40.50 
39.00 

42.00 
40.00 

45.25 
42.75 

48.00 
48.00 

49.00 
46.00 

49.00 
48.00 

49.50 

48.50 

49.00 
48.50 

50.00 
49.00 

50.00 
48.50 

$42.70 
41.70 

41.95 
38.  70 

39.20 
37.70 

40.  70 
38.70 

43.95 
41.45 

46.70 
46.70 

47.70 
44.70 

47.70 
46.  70 

48.  20 
47.20 

47.70 
47.20 

48.  70 
47.70 

48.70 
47.20 

£    s.    d. 
9    10    0 
9    10    0 

8    10    0 
7    10    0 

7     15    0 
7    10    0 

800 
7    12    6 

8    10    0 
850 

9    10    0 
8     15    0 

9    15    0 
9    10    0 

9    15    0 
9    15     0 

9     15     0 
9     15     0 

950 
950 

9     15    0 
9    10    0 

9     15     0 
9    15    0 

$50.50 
50.50 

45.25 
40.00 

41.25 
40.00 

42.60 
40.60 

45.25 
44.00 

50.50 
46.60 

51.75 
50.50 

51.75 
51.75 

51.75 
51.75 

49.30 
49.30 

51.75 
50.50 

51.75 
51.75 

$46.60 
43.55 

43.40 
39.30 

41.40 
39.30 

42.60 
40.60 

44.35 
41.  85 

47.70 
43.55 

50.20 
46.60 

49.95 
48.90 

49.15 

48.75 

.  49.  30 

47.30 

50.90 
49.95 

50.35 
49.  30 

£    a.    d. 
8    15    0 
836 

830 
776 

7    15    6 
776 

800 
7     12    6 

866 
7    17    0 

8     19    0 
836 

986 
8     15    0 

976 
936 

946 
930 

950 
8     17    6 

9     11     0 
976 

990 
950 

February  — 

March  — 
Highest    

April  — 
Highest 

Lowest  

May- 
Highest 

June  — 

July- 
Highest 

August  — 
Highest 

September  — 
Highest 

October- 
Highest  

Lowest  

November- 
Highest  

Lowest  

December  — 
Highest    

Lowest  

35  M- 


-13 


194 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


MONTHLY  QUOTATIONS  PER  FLASK  FOR  QUICKSILVER  AT  SAN  FRANCISCO  FROM  1880  TO  1889,  INCLUSIVE. 


MONTHS. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1    Highest.        Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest, 

Lowest. 

Highest.         Lowest. 

$34.45 
34.45 
34.45 
30.60 
30.60 
30.60 
30.60 
34.45 
30.60 
30.25 
29.85 
29.45 

$28.  30 
28.30 
29.85 
29.85 
29.85 
27.55 
27.90 
29.45 
30.25 
29.45 
29.45 
27.90 

$28.  30 
29.85 
29.05 
29.85 
28.90 
28.70 
29.05 
29.05 
28.50 
31.75 
31.75 
28.90 

$27.  90 
28.30 
27.90 
28.70 
28.50 
28.50 
28.50 
28.30 
28.10 
29.05 
29.85 
27.90 

$28.  50 
28.50 
28.50 
29.05 
29.10 
28.70 
28.50 
28.50 
28.90 
28.90 
28.50 
27.  90 

$28.30 
28.10 
28.10 
28.50 
28.70 
28.50 
28.30 
28.30 
28.30 
28.30 
28.10 
27.35 

$26.  75 
27.25 
28.00 
27.00 
27.00 
28.50 
28.50 
27.50 
26.75 
26.50 
26.50 
26.  25' 

$26.  00 
26.00 
26.75 
26.75 
26.  75 
26.  75     : 
27.50 
26.  25 
26.25 
26.50 
26.00 
26.00 

$26.  25 
29.00 
29.00 
29.00 
29.  OC 
29.00 
29.00 
30.00 
31.00 
30.50 
34.00 
35.00 

$26.  00 
26.00 
28.00 
28.00 
29.00 
29.00 
28.75 
28.75 
30.00 
29.  00 
29.00 
32.00 

April          

34.  45              27.  55 

31.75    '|          27.90 

29.10 

27.35 

28.50 

26.  00               35.  00 

26.00 

MONTHS. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest, 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest, 

Lowest. 

$33.00 
32.50 
32.50 
31.00 
29.00 
30.00 
30.00 
29.75 
30.50 
30.50 
30.00 
32.00 

$32.  50 
32.50 
31.00 
30.00 
28.50 
29.00 
29.75 
29.50 
29.50 
30.00 
29.75 
30.00 

$32.50 
32.50 
33.00 
33.00 
34.00 
36.00 
37.00 
37.00 
37.00 
39.00 
38.75 
38.75 

$32.  00 
32.50 
32.50 
33.00 
33.00 
34.00 
36.00 
36.75 
36.50 
38.75 
38.50 
38.50 

$38.75 
38.75 
38.50 
40.00 
38.00 
39.00 
38.00 
37.00 
38.00 
39.00 
40.00 
48.00 

$38.  50 
38.50 
37.00 
37.50 
37.50 
38.00 
37.50 
36.50 
36.50 
37.00 
37.00 
45.00 

$48.00 
43.00 
40.00 
38.50 
38.00 
38.00 
37.  50 
37.25 
43.00 
44.00 
43.00 
43.00 

$42.00 
39.00 
38.50 
38.00 
37.25 
37.25 
37.00 
37.00 
37.00 
43.00 
42.50 
41.00 

$43.00 
42.00 
41.50 
41.50 
45.00 
50.00 
47.50 
47.50 
47.50 
47.00 
48.00 
47.50 

$41.50 
41.  50 
40.00 
40.00 
41.00 
46.50 
46.00 
46.00 
47.00 
46.50 
46.00 
47.00 

33.00 

28.50 

39.  00              32.  00 

48.00 

36.50 

48.00 

37.00 

50.00 

40.00 

HIGHEST  AND  LOWEST   PRICES  PER  FLASK  OF  QUICKSILVER  DURING  THE  PAST  40  YEARS  IN  SAN   FRANCISCO  AND 

LONDON. 


YEARS. 

SAN  FRANCISCO. 

LONDON. 

YEARS. 

SAN  FRANCISCO. 

LONDON. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest. 

Lowest. 

Highest.           Lowest. 

1850 

$114.  75 
76.50 
61.20 
55.45 
55.45 
55.45 
51.65 
53.55 
49.75 
76.50 
57.35 
49.75 
38.25 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
57.  35 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
68.85 

$84.15 
57.35 
55.45 
55.45 
55.45 
51.65 
51.  65 
45.90 
45.90 
49.75 
49.75 
34.45 
34.45 
38.25 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 
45.90 

£    «.    d. 
15      0    0 
13    15    0 
11     10    0 
8    15    0 
7     15    0 
6    17     6 
6    10    0 
6    10    0 
7    10    0 
750 
700 
700 
700 
700 
900 
800 
800 
700 
6    17    0 
6    17    0 
10      0    0 

£     *.    d. 
13      2    6 
12      5    0 
976 
826 
7      50 
6    10    0 
6    10     0 
6    10    0 
750 
700 
700 
700 
700 
700 
7     10    0 
7    17    6 
6    17     6 
6    16    0 
6    16    0 
6    16    0 
6    16    0 

1871                                  .... 

$68.  85 
66.95 
91.80 
118.  55 
118.  55 
53.55 
44.00 
35.95 
34.45 
34.45 
31.75 
29.10 
28.50 
35.00 
33.00 
39.00 
48.00 
48.00 
50.00 

$57.35 
65.00 
68.85 
91.80 
49.75 
34.45 
30.60 
29.85 
25.25 
27.55 
27.90 
27.35 
26.00 
26.00 
28.50 
32.00 
36.50 
37.00 
40.00 

£    a.   d. 
12      0    0 
13      0    0 
20      0     0 
26      0    0 
24      0    0 
12      0    0 
9    10    0 
750 
8     15    0 
7    15    0 
700 
650 
5    17     6 
6    15    0 
6    15    0 
7    10    0 
11      5    0 
10      0    0 
9    15    0 

£     *.    d. 
900 
10      0    0 
12      0    0 
19      0    0 
9     17    6 
7     17    6 
726 
676 
5     17    6 
676 
626 
5    15    0 
550 
526 
526 
5     16    3 
676 
700 
7    10    0 

1851                      

1872  

1852 

1873                    

1853 

1874 

1854                  .                

1875  

1855 

1876          

1856 

1877                                  .     .  . 

1857 

1878 

1858                                    

1879       

1859 

1880                     

I860 

'  1881 

1861                                      

1882  

1862               I 

1883 

1863 

1884        

1864 

1885                     

1865 

1886 

1866 

1887  

1867 

1888       

1868 

1889     

1869  

Extreme  range  in  40 
years. 

118.  55 

25.25 

26    00    0 

526 

1870  

QUICKSILVER. 


195 


HIGHEST  AND  LOWEST  PPJCES  PER  FLASK  PREVAILING  AT  HONGKONG  FOR  QUICKSILVER,   BY  MONTHS  AND 

YEARS,    FOR   THE   DECADE  1880-1889.  (a) 


January  . . 
February  . 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August .  -  - 
September . 

October 

November  . 
December- . 


1880. 


Highest.        Lowest 


65.00 
62.50 
62.25 
60.50 
58.75 
57.50 
60.50 
61.75 
60.50 
58.75 
57.50 


$59.  00 
59.00 
59.50 
59.75 
58.25 
55.75 
55.75 
57.75 
60.25 
58.75 
57.75 
56.20 


1881. 


Highest.        Lowest 


$56.  75 
58. 25 
57.  50 
59.50 
58.50 
59.00 
58.50 
58.25 
57.75 
58.50 
58.50 
58.75 


$56.  25 
57.75 
57.00 
58.00 
57.75 
57.50 
58.00 
57.50 
57.00 
58.00 
58.00 
58.00 


1882. 


Highest. 


$58. 25 
57.50 
58.00 
57.75 
57.50 
57.25 
56.00 
57.25 
57.25 
57.25 
57.50 
57.50 


Lowest. 


$57.  25 
57.00 
57.50 
56.50 
56.75 
56.00 
55. 75 
56.50 
57.00 
57.00 
57.25 
56.50 


1883. 


Highest.        Lowest. 


$56.  50 
56.25 
57.  QO 
56.25 
56.00 
56.50 
57.25 
56.50 
55.75 
54.00 
54.50 
54.00 


$55.  25 
55.00 
55^75 
55.  75 
55.75 
56.25 
56.00 
56.00 
54.50 
52.75 
52.75 
53.00 


1884. 


Highest.     Lowest 


$53. 00 
53.80 
55.00 
56.00 
56.50 
55.00 
53. 40 
52.00 
52.00 
54.50 
62.00 
69.00 


$52. 00 
52.00 
52.50 
54.75 
54.75 
52.25 
51.75 
61.00 
51.50 
52.00 
54.00 
62.50 


1885. 


1886. 


1887. 


1888. 


1889. 


Highest,    j    Lowest 


Highest.        Lowest 


Highest.        Lowest 


Highest.        Lowest 


Highest.    ,  Lowest. 


January  . . . 
February . . 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September . 

October 

November  . 
December.. 


$68. 00 
67.50 
67.50 
61.00 
59.50 
61.00 
60.00 
62.50 
63.00 
62.50 
62.00 
66.50 


$67.  00 
66.50 
59. 00 
59.00 
58.00 
58.00 
57.50 
59.50 
59.75 
60.75 
59.50 
64.50 


$66.  00 
66.50 
66.00 
65.00 
66.00 
75.00 
81.00 
82.50 
82.00 
84.50 
82.50 
78.00 


$64.00 
65.75 
65.00 
64.50 
65.50 
67.50 
74.00 
82.00 
81.00 
84.00 
78.50 
77.00 


$83. 00 
83.50 
83.50 
83.00 
82.50 


80.50 
83.00 
85.50 
88.50 
89.00 
115.00 


$79. 00 
81.50 
82.50 
82.00 
78.00 
78.00 
80.00 
79.00 
85.00 
87.00 
87.50 

103.  00 


$115.00 
95.00 
90.00 
88.00 
85.00 
93.00 
92.50 
92.00 
99.50 
101. 00 
99.50 
97.00 


$92. 00 
94.00 
88.00 
85.50 
81.00 
92.00 
91.00 
88.50 
96.00 
97.00 
99.00 
96.00 


$100. 00 

96.00 

93.00 

94.50 

95.00 

100. 50 

116.00 

115. 00 

111.  00 

106.00 

107.  50 

108. 00 


$93. 50 

94,00 

90.00 

93.00 

93.50 

94.00 

101. 00 

102. 00 

107.00 

103.00 

106.00 

105. 00 


a  During  which  time  the  lowest  price  reached  was  in  August,  1884,  $51  to  $52,  and  the  highest  in  July,  1889,  $101  to  $116. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  QUICKSILVER. 

TOTAL  EXPORTS  AND  SHIPMENTS  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  1889. 

BY   SEA.  FLASKS. 

To  Mexico 4,  593 

To  Central  America 47 

To  Chile  and  South  America , 10 

To  New  Zealand 112 

To  Australia 10 

To  British  Columbia 11 

4,  783 

Shipments  to  New  York 430 

Total  by  sea 5, 213 

BY  RAILROAD. 

From  San  Jose,  California : 

To  New  York 5, 100 

To  Texas 200 

To  Montana 1, 995 

To  Utah ., 118 

To  Idaho 100 

To  Arizona 90 

7,  603 

From  San  Francisco,  California : 

To  New  York 1,500 

To  Mexico 819 

To  Montana,  Idaho,  and  Utah 2,  311 

To  Arizona 110 

To  Colorado    61 

4,  801 

From  San  Francisco,  Via  Portland  and  Northern  Pacific  railroad,  to  Montana 350 

Add  for  shipments  to  Montana,  Idaho,  and  Arizona  not  included  in  above 533 

Total  by  railroad 13,287 


Total  shipments  by  sea  and  railroad 18, 500 


196 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


SHIPMENTS  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  BOND  FROM  SAN  FRANCISCO. 


YEARS. 

Spanish,  in  bond  to  — 

Flasks. 

Value. 

Total  

1  100 

$36  619 

1886  

• 
500 

13  719 

1887  
1889  

Hongkong  

500 
100 

18,  300 
4  600 

a  Reported  by  the  San  Francisco  customhouse. 

'SHIPMENTS   OF  QUICKSILVER  OVERLAND  TO  POINTS  EAST  FOR  THE  10  YEARS  ENDED  DECEMBER  31,  1889,  VIA  THE 

CENTRAL  PACIFIC  RAILROAD.  («) 


'1880. 


FLASKS.  FLASKS. 

15,553    [    1885 9,096 


T.881 13, 555 

.1882 . 7,996 

-1883 5,211 

1884 2,830 


1886 8,039 

1887.. 5,859 

1888 3,  622 

1889 6,889 


a  Compiled  from  annual  reports  of  the  San  Francisco  Journal  of  Commerce. 


IMPORTS. 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  the  records  of  the  bureau  of  statistics  of  the  Treasury  department,  shows 
the  amounts  of  quicksilver  reported  by  the  collectors  of  customs  as  imported  in  each  year  for  10  years.  The  original 
(figures  are  reported  in  pounds,  and  sometimes  include  the  weight  of  the  iron  flask.  The  importations  in  1890  increased 
materially,  amounting  to  10,482  flasks,  valued  at  $445,857. 

QUICKSILVER  IMPORTED  AND  ENTERED  FOR  CONSUMPTION  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

1880  TO  1889,  INCLUSIVE. 


YEARS  ENDING  — 

Flasks. 

Value. 

30  1880                                                          .    . 

1,296 

$48  463 

1881     

1,539 

57,  733 

1882                           

6,643 

233,  057 

1883                             ... 

17,  253 

593,  367 

1884                

1,518 

44,  035 

1885                         

2,866 

90,  416 

Dec. 

31  1886 

4  468 

142,  325 

1887       

7,706 

290,  380 

1888                     

1,730 

56,  997 

1889 

4  464 

162  064 

IMPOET  DUTIES  AND  EXPOETS. 

"The  following  is  a  comparative  statement  of  the  rates  of  import  duty  on  quicksilver  under  the  several  tariff  acts 
'from  July  30,  1846,  to  October  1,  1890,  both  inclusive: 

IMPORT  DUTIES  ON  QUICKSILVER. 


Act  of — 

-July  30,  1846 per  cent . .  20 

:March3,  1857 do 15 

:  March  2,  1861 do. ...  10 

.  August  5,  1861 do ....  10 

:  December  24,  1861 do 10 

.'July  14,1862 do....  10 

.March  3,  1863 do. ...  10 

-June  30,  1864 do 10  and  15 

March  3, 1865 do. ...  10  and  15 

March  16, 1866 do.. ..  10  and  15 

May  16,  1866 do. ...  10  and  15 

June  1,  1866 do 10  and  15 

-July  28, 1866 do....  15 


Act  of— 

March  2, 1867 per  cent. .  15 

March  22,  1867 do....  15 

March  25-26,  1867 do ....  15 

March  29, 1867 do ....  15 

February  3, 1868 do ....  15 

July  20, 1868 do ....  15 

February  19-24,  1869 do ....  15 

July  14,  1870 do ....  15 

December  22,  1870 do 15 

May  1, 1872 per  cent  of  existing  duties. .  90 

June  6,  1872 do....  90 

March  3, 1883 per  cent. .  10 

October  1, 1890 cents  per  pound. .  10 


QUICKSILVER. 


197 


Under  the  tariff  act  of  October  1, 1890,  the  flasks,  bottles,  or  other  vessels  in  which  quicksilver  may  be  imported 
are  subjecet  to  the  same  rate  of  duty  as  they  would  be  if  imported  empty.  Quicksilver  flasks  or  bottles  of  either 
domestic  or  foreign  manufacture  which  have  been  actually  exported  from  the  United  States  are  entitled  to  free  entry.. 

CUSTOMS  DUTIES  IMPOSED  BY  FOREIGN  NATIONS  UPON  AMERICAN  QUICKSILVER.  («) 


Brazil $5.70  per  100  pounds. 

China $2.60  per  133.3  pounds 

Corea 7.5  per  cent  ad  valorem. 

Ecuador $8.52  per  100  pounds. 

Greece 73  cents  per  100  pounds. 

Hawaiian  Islands 10  per  cent  ad  valorem. 

Haiti 20  per  cent  ad  valorem. 

Honduras $1.66  for  104  pounds. 

Italy— Quicksilver $1.93  for  220.464  pounds. 

Oxide  of  mercury,  muriate  of 
mercury,  chloride  of  mercury, 
precipitate  of  mercury $0.77  for  220.464  pounds. 

Calomel $23.16  for  220.464  pounds. 

Vermilion $4.83  for  220.464  pounds. 


Japan $1.58  for  131  poundsv. 

New  South  Wales 5  per  cent  ad  valorem.. 

Peru 10  per  cent  ad  valorem., 

Porto  Rico $2.72  for  220.464  pounds. , 

Russia $1.20  for  36  pounds. 

San  Salvador 5  per  cent  ad  valorem. 

Spain 31  cents  for  220.464  pounds. 

Sweden , . .  .$4.76  for  100  pounds. 

Switzerland 58  cents  for  110  pounds. 

Turkey $7.04  for  220  pounds. 

United  States  of  Colombia $9.90  per  100  pounds. 

Uruguay 47  per  cent  ad  valorem.. 

Venezuela $11.05  for  100  pounds.. 


a  The  report  is  taken  from  United  States  consular  report  No.  73J,  "Washington,  1887 ;  all  in  United  States  weight  and  currency. 


EXPORTS  OF  DOMESTIC  QUICKSILVER   FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES  FOR  THE  10  YEARS   ENDED  DECEMBER  31,  1889. 

[Compiled  from  the  returns  sent  in  by  the  various  collectors  of  customs.] 


PORTS. 

TOTAL. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Total  ... 

183,  716 

5,  617,  685 

37,  210 

1,  119,  952 

35,  107 

1,  025,  299 

33,  875 

988,  454 

.30,072 

808,  353: 

Ports  from  which  exported  — 
San  Francisco  ... 

176,  974 
6,066 
630 
40 
6 

183,  716 

5,  378,  118 
223,  049 
14,  882 
1,454 
182 

5,  617,  685 

34,  359 
2,221 
630 

1,  028,  826 
76,244 
14,  882 

33,  935 
1,166 

985,  927 
39,  161 

33,  728 
143 

983,  977 
4,344 

29,928 
137 

804,  077- 
4,037" 

Philadelphia  

Boston  

6 

211 

4 

133 

7 

239 

New  Orleans  

Total  

37,  210 

1,  119,  952 

35,  107 

1,  025,  299 

33,  875 

988,  454 

30,  072 

808,  353 

Exported  to- 

79,  451 
2,594 

3,543 
87 

2,  371,  108 
94,  294 
105,  309 
2,861 

19,  610 
41 
754 
50 

577,  019 
1,095 
24,842 
1,475 

17,  031 
38 
123 

493,  171 
1,086 
3,700 

18,965 
75 
1,400 

560,  353 
2,151 
42,  000 

16,  356 
150 
1,150 

438,  689 
4,263 
31,  2501 

Central  American  States  

Chile  

China  

Germany  

England  

2,553 
205 
6,332 
3,344 
82,  172 
1,955 
377 
581 
333 
37 
23 

55 

74 

96,  082 
6,406 
190,  638 
88,  705 
2,  558,  030 
57,  231 
11,  083 
19,  118 
10,  694 
1,399 
905 

1,629 
2,193 

1,753 
7 
1,536 
105 
12,  413 
440 
356 
115 
13 
1 

59,  882 
211 
47,  874 
3,050 
376,  007 
13,540 
10,  270 
3,673 
497 
26 

British  Columbia  

5 
1,330 
314 
15,  256 

700 

141 
37,249 
9,213 
450,  448 
20,  161 

16 
1,831 
621 
10,  128 
665 
1 
45 
98 
4 

472 
52,997 
17,  601 
288,  441 
19,  285 
33 
1,280 
2,941 
133 

4 
786 
1,297 
10,  157 
100 

110 

20,  766  , 
32,151. 
276,332: 

2,695. 

British  possessions  in  Australasia. 
Japan  

Mexico  

Peru  

Cuba  

United  States  of  Colombia  

208 
90 
12 

6,487 
3,225 

418 

11 
36 
5 

2 

18 

326 
1,028 
175, 
C* 

504, 

Venezuela  

Nova  Scotia,  Xew  Brunswick,  and 
Prince  Edward  Island. 

West  Indies  



18 
8 

552 
215 

All  other  ports  

17 

491 

::;::::  

198 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

EXPORTS  OF  DOMESTIC  QUICKSILVER  FROM   THE  UNITED  STATES,  ETC.— Continued. 


PORTS. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Flasks. 

Dollars. 

Total  

7,370 

199,  685 

6,802 

209,  75S 

6,091 

204,  956 

11/394 

441,  112 

10,  684 

406,  399 

5,111 

213,717 

Ports  from  which  exported  — 
San  Francisco       

7,037 
332 

189,  420 
10,  233 

6,547 
242 

200,  739 
8,578 

5.845 
240 

196,  384 
8,340 

10,  401 
984 

396,  310 
44,  448 

10,  145 
539 

381,  707 
24,  692 

5,049 
62 

210,  745 
2,972 

New  York           ..  

8 
5 

6,802 

291 
150 

209,  758 

6 

232 

9 

348 

1 

7,370 

32 
199,  685 

Total                    - 

6,091 

204,  956 

11,  394 

441,  112 

10,  684 

406,  399 

5,111 

213,  717 

Exported  to  — 

220 
285 

6,750 
8,390 

233 

238 
104 

8,990 
8,341 
3,042 

3,323 
177 

141,  237 
6,466 

3,713 
1,333 

144,  899 
52,  586 

164 

5,805 

93 
12 

4,111 

475 

Chile 

37 

1,386 

800 
31 
100 

36,  200 
1,104 
3,965 

British  Columbia  

15 
130 
669 
5,830 
50 
11 
80 
36 

406 
3,768 
16,  032 
157,  758 
1,550 
351 
2,376 
1,057 

40 
75 
300 
5,777 

1,088 
2,257 
9,100 
175,828 

59 
90 
3 
5,678 

1,902 
3,295 
108 
190,  461 

16 
322 
35 
'  5,172 

548 
12,  979 
1,450 
190,  013 

12 
133 

424 

5,488 

British  possessions  in  Australasia. 

6,920 

250,  514 

4,841 

202.  228 

Peru  

Cuba  

•  5 
22 
60 
2 
6 

1 
1 

180 
873 
1,946 

77 
232 

44 
33 

2 

48 

127 
2,096 

2 
6 

122 
313 

United  States  of  Colombia    .  . 

14 

498 

32 

1,196 

Venezuela  

Dutch  Guiana  

5 
2 

176 

76 

3 

7 

129 
261 

5 

265 

Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and 
Prince.  Edward  Island. 

West  Indies  

6 

272 

18 
26 

529 
718 

All  other  ports  

14 

362 

1 

40 

1 

50 

6 

284 

QUICKSILVER. 


199 


ENGLISH  QUICKSILVEB  MOVEMENTS. 

The  control  of  the  quicksilver  market  is  usually  affected  by  the  transactions  in  London,  a  re"sum6  of  which  is 
given  in  the  following  tables,  which  show  a  synopsis  of  the  statistical  features  of  each  of  the  past  10  years.  The 
shipments  of  quicskilver  to  the  United  States  are  also  shown. 

EXPORTS  OF  QUICKSILVER  FROM  ENGLAND. 

[Flasks.] 


EXPORTED  TO  — 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1885. 

rase. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Total           

16,  023 

24,  889 

40,  424 

49,  006 

52,548 

48,  865 

66,109 

62,  606 

47  133 

57  604 

1,117 

1,539 

1,451 

1,156 

769 

1,595 

1,031 

399 

45 

72 

2,504 

2,  053 

2,974 

3,906 

2,224 

2,916 

3,557 

3,542 

4  098 

3  278 

Holland                                 

692 

708 

941 

702 

819 

843 

853 

1,254 

633 

1  323 

285 

742 

779 

868 

729 

507 

816 

608 

725 

127 

70 

131 

75 

85 

142 

118 

97 

40 

67 

3,997 

6,143 

6,871 

5,083 

4,492 

6,854 

4,553 

7,718 

4  884 

8  995 

465 

530 

452 

444 

609 

445 

47 

51 

21 

97 

J         442 

{ 

>         447 

1         ^ 

412 

Turkey                                                

24 

79 

93 

123 

85 

136 

97 

46 

33 

42 

24 

26 

3 

9 

12 

H 

Persia                

4 

Gold  Coast          

5 

16 

77 

131 

52 

49 

33 

77 

11 

150 

20 

302 

94 

Cape  of  Good  Hope  

60 

Natal  and  Capo  of  Good  Hope  

194 

971 

742 

239 

United  States    

200 

4  659 

13,  116 

14  382 

4  871 

5  112 

12  311 

10  554 

4  649 

7  967 

22 

60 

64 

87 

234 

76 

200 

4 

2  631 

5  043 

5  562 

5  120 

5  5il 

5  680 

10  592 

6  545 

9  967 

6  168 

370 

230 

122 

233 

217 

156 

188 

124 

253 

197 

333 

238 

202 

408 

409 

63 

221 

180 

620 

1 

936 

970 

2  147 

2,198 

1  767 

2  276 

3  188 

2  025 

2  389 

4  430 

67 

22 

59 

216 

189 

212 

173 

126 

189 

1  877 

331 

2  083 

1  591 

850 

339 

114 

148 

416 

434 

4 

2 

1 

31 

46 

>           94 

88 

92 

48 

49 

104 

78 

19 

35 

32 

J 

Italy                

31 

79 

33 

52 

40 

15 

11 

27 

g 

7ft 

25 

37 

19 

10 

55 

1 

16 

15 

MI 

50 

392 

2  750 

920 

953 

1  498 

1  559 

1  506 

Java  

40 

Java  and  Ceylon  

5 

Victoria  

42 

162 

390 

134 

886 

194 

826 

457 

1 

37 

61 

61 

80 

54 

28 

34 

216 

176 

«Q 

Chile     

314 

298 

647 

1  496 

1  308 

2  085 

2  297 

2  625 

1  449 

750 

10 

810 

334 

1    0()Q 

12 

10 

1  301 

10 

4  509 

23  994 

14  054 

21  515 

19  208 

10  267 

18  go7 

75 

15 

730 

868 

1  597 

869 

1  551 

1  570 

Madras  /  

11 

392 

1 

12 

55 

30 

63 

3  585 

Bombay  and  Madras  

1  707 

Canada  

1 

3 

11 

41 

23 

19 

332 

13 

81 

Newfoundland  

2 

British  Burmah  

25 

31 

94 

12 

Uruguay  

34 

g 

5 

9 

10 

10 

154 

Spanish  West  Indies  

500 

1 

69 

New  South  Wales  ... 

12 

57 

112 

82 

716 

29 

435 

244 

1  535 

Queensland  

4 

59 

82 

465 

297 

619 

878 

Queensland  and  New  South  Wales  

163 

Philippine  Islands  • 

6 

Bolivia  

152 

200 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


ENGLISH  IMPORTS  AND  EXPORTS  OF  QUICKSILVER  FOR  10  YEARS,  BY  MONTHS. 

IMPORTS. 

[Flasks.] 


MONTHS. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Total                                                                    

49,544 

56.259 

45,  03C 

54,  521 

59,  969 

55,  154 

58,  967 

61,  114 

73,  768 

67  5°9 

6,692 

8,680 

7,608 

362 

4,617 

4,350 

4.496 

9,404 

11  440 

7  950 

16,  380 

4,187 

4,300 

3,270 

5,127 

4,603 

12,488 

9,641 

10  750 

8  546 

4,117 

12,  211 

7,947 

8.300 

20,  327 

8,434 

7,179 

4,180 

13  844 

0  591 

7,778 

5,310 

10,  607 

4,082 

7,087 

329 

6,036 

11,752 

7,960 

12  630 

6,118 

5,600 

4,546 

11,  602 

9,055 

9,545 

10,  436 

4,200 

4,237 

1  857 

2,173 

9,487 

6,490 

6,482 

4,628 

21,  328 

9,130 

11,  700 

14,  902 

15  266 

July                                          

504 

368 

18,  26G 

3,802 

427 

4,458 

4,754 

300 

2  479 

891 

600 

1,178 

529 

1,283 

1,607 

1,289 

1,200 

26 

1  035 

1,400 

600 

550 

500 

300 

,     850 

510 

1,670 

3  329 

2,111 

600 

960 

218 

1,340 

2,057 

1,201 

1,298 

646 

944 

1,080 

527 

410 

800 

474 

1,004 

275 

1,273 

1  705 

300 

8,689 

800 

450 

1,403 

1,700 

400 

2,200 

6,720 

5,897 

EXPORTS. 


MONTHS. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Total    

16,  023 

24,889 

40,  424 

49,  006 

52,548 

48,865 

66,109 

62,606 

47,  133 

57  604 

1,288 

2,079 

1,947 

5,192 

4,410 

2,524 

3,793 

5,973 

2,181 

4  492 

713 

1,165 

2,387 

4,009 

4,912 

3,914 

4,906 

3,232 

1,573 

4  481 

1,075 

2,136 

3,382 

3,348 

3,412 

3,916 

10,  273 

4,866 

2,411 

7,756 

April                      

1,265 

2,126 

3,417 

4,658 

2,035 

2,983 

8,842 

6,375 

4,185 

8  749 

985 

2,540 

2  558 

4,407 

6,305 

3,204 

5,556 

4,053 

11,  917 

5  295 

2,252 

1,414 

4,951 

4,604 

5,926 

4,915 

6,655 

7,470 

5,867 

2,238 

JU]y                                   

1,367 

1,323 

2,809 

3,718 

5,646 

3,123 

4,371 

8,244 

3,248 

2  483 

794 

2  135 

4  187 

2  342 

3,153 

6,488 

3  951 

6  245 

3,367 

5  375 

1,583 

2,406 

2,772 

3,242 

3,734 

9,642 

8,055 

3,366 

3,714 

4,621 

911 

2,042 

3,371 

4,253 

3,071 

2,366 

2,542 

4,320 

1,333 

4  714 

1  963 

2  576 

4  260 

6  069 

4  335 

I  943 

3,310 

6  117 

4,142 

2  523 

1,827 

2,947 

4,383 

3,164 

5,609 

3,847 

3,  800 

2,345 

3,195 

4,877 

LONDON  PRICES  PER  FLASK  OF  QUICKSILVER. 

1880. 


DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

January  3  

£   g.    d. 
6    10    0 

January  9  

£   *.    a'. 
776 

February  11 

£   s.    d. 
700 

July  13    

£    t.    d. 
726 

August  4  

£   *.  d. 
750 

6    17    6 

700 

February  21 

726 

July  13 

750 

700 

700 

6     17    6 

7     10     0 

750 

6    17    6 

7     15    0 

January  22  

750 

March.  8 

700 

July  17           

7      ?     6 

November  3  

6    15    0 

776 

January  22  

7     10    0 

April  7 

6    15    0 

July  17 

700 

6    10    0 

7     12    6 

776 

May  25 

6    10    0 

July  23 

6    17    6 

676 

7     10    0 

January  29  

750 

June  23  

6    15    0 

July  23        ... 

6     15    0 

l 

1881. 


6     10    0 

March  22  

6    10    0 

May  19  

650 

September  26  

6    10    0 

November  15  

6      5    ( 

6    15    0 

650 

6      76 

6    15    0 

November  22  

6      7    C 

February  8  

700 

April  26  

676 

July  7  

6    10    0     I 

October  13  

700 

November  23  

6    10    ( 

March  3  

6    15    0 

April  27  

6     10    0 

August  12  

650 

November  7  

6    10    0 

December  1  

6      5    C 

March  3 

6    13    9 

May  7    

676 

1883. 


January  1  

650 

April  18 

650 

5    18    9 

600 

November  14  

5    16    9 

January  24  

600 

Mavl5... 

600 

July  18    

5    l'i     6 

October  23  

5    17    6 

December  29  

5    15    6 

March  18  

5    17    6 

5     17    6 

QUICKSILVER. 


201 


LONDON  PRICES  PER  FLASK  OF  QUICKSILVER— Continued. 

1883. 


DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

£     f.    d. 
5     10    0 

£     g.  d. 
5    17     6 

April  3 

£   *.    d. 
5    12    6 

July  13 

£    s.    d. 
5    10    0 

£    s.    d. 
550 

5     12    6 

March  13 

5    15    0 

April  28 

5     10    0 

July  20 

5     12    6 

576 

5    15    0 

March  20 

5    10    0 

June  21      

576 

August  28 

576 

550 

1884 

February  2 

526 

May  27 

576 

July  24  

563 

November  12  ...... 

5    17    6 

6    10    0 

February  23 

550 

536 

576 

600 

6    15    0 

February  29 

5    10    0 

;  June  23       

550 

August  27  

5    10    0 

November  18  

650 

6    15    0 

March  6 

5    12    6 

:  July  3 

576 

September  17    .  

5    12    0 

November  19    .... 

676 

6    17    6 

April  1      

5    10    0 

July  22    

550 

November  10  

5     15    0 

1885 

March  13 

600 

May  13             ... 

5     12    6 

August  7  

5     15    0 

November  9  

5    17    6 

600 

March  13 

6     15    0 

5    15    0 

5    17     6 

5     16    3 

636 

April  30 

5     12    6 

June  2   

600 

September  14  

600 

November  19  

5    17    6 

650 

5    10    0 

July  20             ... 

5    12    6 

September  17    

626 

1886. 


600 

March  8      

5    16    3 

April  30  

650 

July  7  

700 

Septernbe"  21    . 

750 

5     17    6 

March  10 

5    17    6 

May  14    

6     10    0 

September  6  

6    16    0 

7    10    0 

GOO 

April  5 

5    16    3 

6    15    0 

700 

726 

February  23 

5    17    6 

April  7 

600 

6    17    6 

September  20  

726 

November  18  

750 

March  1  

5     15    0 

1887. 


750 

May  23    .... 

6     10    0 

750 

November  30  

950 

December  9       ... 

9    10    ( 

776 

May  24 

6     12    6 

August  29 

7     10    0 

November  30  

9    15    0 

9    15    ( 

726 

6    11     0 

7     12    6 

10      5    0 

10      5    ( 

700 

6    12    6 

October  10 

7    15    0 

December  2    

10    10    0 

December  10  

10    10    ( 

March  26          ... 

6    17    6 

July  7    

6    15    0 

800 

10    10    0 

December  12  

11      5    ( 

March  28 

7      0    o 

July  11 

6    17    6 

900 

10      5    0 

11      0    ( 

May  2  

6    17    6 

August  8  

700 

1888. 


10      0    0 

February  21 

8    10    0 

May  10  

6    15    0 

July  17  

776, 

September  15  .... 

8    12    6 

950 

March  6 

826 

May  23             

726 

July  17  

776 

8    15    0 

9    10    0 

March  20    

800 

May24  

700 

July  20  

750 

October  16  

900 

8    15    0 

March  23  .     ... 

7     15    0 

May  28  

726 

July  31  

776 

October  17  

9    10    0 

900 

April  9 

7    15    0 

750 

August  2      

7     12    6 

October  19    

910 

8    15    0 

April  18 

7    10    0 

7    10    0 

7    15    0 

October  26   

8    17    6 

8    12    6 

April  18 

750 

June  7   

7     15    0 

August  27    

800 

November  16.  ..... 

850 

800 

April  19 

700 

800 

850 

November  30  

8    10    0 

February  21  

8    10,     0 

April  20    

750 

June  18  

7     12    6 

September  5  

8    10    0 

December  10  

876 

February  21 

876 

May  8 

6    17     6 

July  16  ...'.  

7    10    0 

September  13  

900 

December  19  

800 

202 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


LONDON  PRICES  PER  FLASK  OF  QUICKSILVER— Continued. 

1889. 


DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

DATE. 

Price. 

£    *.    d. 
9    10    0 
8    10    0 
8    14    0 
8    15    0 
876 
8    10    0 
840 
850 
800 
7     17    6 
7     12    6 
7    10    0 

£    f.     d. 
800 
7     15    0 
8     10    0 
826 
8      00 
7     15    0 
7    12    6 
7     10    0 
7     10    0 
766 
9      7    0     ! 
7     10    0 

March  11  

£      s.    d. 

"    15    0 
"     12    0 
"      1    6 
7    10    0 
"      8    0 
"     10    0 
7    12    6 
7     12    6 
7    15    0 
800 
850 
.  8     10    0 

May  14  

£     g.  d. 
840 
876 
8     15    0 
8    12    6 
900 
8     16    0 
9      5    0 
8     17    6 
8     15    0 
900 
950, 
9    10    0 

- 
July  30      

£  s.  d. 
9  15  0 
930 
900 
900 
950 
8  18  6 
8  19  0 
9  10  0 
976 
9  15  0 
9  10  0 

March  11  

June  6  
June  6  

Si-j  it  ember  18  

March  20  

T 

March  21  

June  6  

T 

February  8 

June  12  

March  25  

June  15  

October  30      .     ... 

April  1  

June  19  

October  30 

April  4  

July  7  

**    . 

April  4  

July  9  

April  10      

July  18  

March  9 

May  9.  .. 

July  23  

December  16 

March  11 

May  9... 

July  23  

ENGLISH   SHIPMENTS   OF   QUICKSILVER   TO   THE   UNITED   STATES. 

The  following  table  shows  the  shipments  of  quicksilver  from  Great  Britain  to  the  United  States  for  the  years 
1880  to  1889,  inclusive,  by  months : 

SHIPMENTS  OF  QUICKSILVER  FROM  GREAT  BRITAIN  TO  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

[Flasks.] 


MONTHS. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

Total          

200 

4,659 

13,  116 

14,  382 

4,871 

5,112 

12,  311 

10,554 

4,649 

7  967 

150 

2,207 

200 

150 

300 

1,050 

100 

629 

178 

354 

1,753 

200 

350 

156 

300 

600 

500 

200 

981 

2,006 

600 

300 

1,012 

100 

650 

April               

200 

984 

2,449 

196 

500 

1  338 

2,328 

300 

851 

>lay    .. 

850 

540 

2,067 

500 

100 

1,778 

650 

1,899 

1,500 

100 

650 

1,772 

2,500 

1,254 

500 

700 

2,000 

400 

503 

July               

301 

786 

21 

1  114 

1  800 

450 

481 

August  -  

300 

1,714 

300 

450 

500 

999 

910 

150 

450 

106 

763 

400 

500 

1,854 

2,607 

350 

100 

220 

1  462 

200 

450 

200 

701 

420 

1  550 

November  

978 

2,074 

300 

300 

805 

646 

103 

December    

100 

676 

1  536 

200 

200 

658 

801 

750 

650 

THE  NEW  ALMADEN  QUICKSILVER  MINES. 

The  characteristics  of  the  quicksilver  mining  industry  in  the  United  States  can  best  be  understood  by  the 
following  study  of  the  New  Almaden  mines : 

LOCATION. 

The  quicksilver  deposits  exploited  by  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company  are  situated  in  Santa  Clara  county, 
California,  in  a  low  range  of  hills,  which  has  a  general  northwest  and  southeast  direction,  and  culminates  in  Mine 
Hill  at  the  elevation  of  1,755  feet  above  sea  level.  This  range  of  hills  lies  parallel  and  in  front  of  the  main  coast 
range  of  mountains,  separated  from  it  by  Capitancillos  creek  and  its  affluent  in  the  western  and  by  a  branch  of 
Alamitos  creek  in  their  eastern  position.  A  low  transverse  ridge,  or  so-called  "divide",  separates  Alamitos  from 
Oapitaucillos  creek,  and  connects  the  Mine  Hill  ridge  with  the  main  coast  range.  The  highest  point  of  the  coast 
range  is  Mount  Bache,  situated  about  5  miles  south  of  Mine  Hill,  with  an  elevation  of  3,790  feet  above  sea  level. 
Mount  Umunhum,  3,430  feet  high,  in  the  same  range,  is  about  southwest  of  Mine  Hill  and  3  miles  distant,  and 
Mount  Chisnantuck,  about  3  miles  southeast  of  Mine  Hill,  is  about  1,790  feet  high,  being  the  highest  point  in  the 
range  of  hills  which  extends  almost  northerly  from  Mount  Bache,  and  is  separated  from  Mine  Hill  ridge  by  Alamitos 
creek  with  its  source  on  the  northern  slope  of  Mount  Bache.  The  city  hall  at  San  Jose"  is  nearly  12  miles  distant  in 
a  straight  line  from  summit  of  Mine  Hill,  in  the  direction  of  north  18°  west.  The  northerly  slopes  of  the  Mine 
Hill  range  descend  gradually  into  the  valley  of  Santa  Clara,  of  which  they  form  the  southern  rim.  The  hills  are 
mostly  covered  with  brush  and  several  species  of  oak  on  the  northern  slope,  while  the  southern  slopes  are  more 
open.  The  soil  is  ill-adapted  for  cultivation,  as  it  forms  only  a  thin  layer  on  the  surface.  Water  is  scarce,  the 
Alamitos  and  Capitancillos  creeks  dwindling  down  in  summer  time  to  meager  streams  that  disappear  entirely  at 
their  entrance  in  the  valley,  while  during  the  rainy  season  they  form  torrential  streams.  The  railroad  station 
Almaden  is  438  feet  above  sea  level,  according  to  the  railroad  surveys,  and  the  office  at  the  hacienda  about  500 
feet.  The  climate  is  moderate  both  in  winter  and  summer. 


Eleventh  Census  of  the  United  States. 


Robert  P.  Porter,  Superintends] 


PLAN  OF  THE  FURNACE  YARD 


THE  NEWALMADEN  QUICKSILVER  MINE 


California,. 


SCALE  70  FteT  TO  ONE  INCH 


June    139O 


•Wote  :  JB  -  -Uri-c 

W.T.  -  JVattr  tanfCs  vith.  Condenser 
Pipes  HTLmersed, 


QUICKSILVER.  203 

G-EOLOOY.  (<l) 

The  New  Almaden,  Euriquita,  and  (r'uada-hipe  mines  lie  nearly  south  of  San  Jose",  on  spurs  of  the  Santa  Cruz 
mountains.  This  district  has  been  much  more  productive  in  quicksilver  than  any  other  in  North  America,  and 
since  1850.it  has  yielded  four-fifths  as  much  metal  as  the  Almaden  mine  of  Spain.  Of  special  interest  in  the  general 
geology  of  the  district  is  the  occurrence  of  a  rhyolite  dike  nearly  parallel  to  the  line  connecting  the  New  Almaden 
and  the  G-uadalupe.  This  is  the  only  known  mass  of  rhyolite  in  the  coast  ranges. 

The  greater  part  of  the  surface  is  occupied  by  metamorphic  rocks,  which  have  been  determined  as  neocomian. 
They  are,  for  the  most  part,  identical  with  those  so  prevalent  in  the  coast  ranges.  There  are  also  masses  of 
limestone.  The  general  structure  of  the  ridges  of  the  metamorphic  rock  seems  to  be  synclinal.  The  underlying 
rock  of  the  region  of  New  Alma<]en  is  undoubtedly  granite,  although  it  is  at  considerable  depth. 

Pebbles  of  olivine  gabbro  are  found  at  various  points  in  the  district,  but  this  rock  has  not  been  found  in  place. 
Upon  the  metamorphic  rocks  lie  uncomformably  areas  of  miocene  sandstones.  These  are  soft,  yellowish  strata, 
which  were  sharply  folded  by  a  posttniocene  upheaval. 

Of  special  importance  in  relation  to  the  ore  deposits  is  the  rhyolite  dike.  It  not  only  proves  the  former 
existence  of  volcanic  activity,  but  emphasizes  a  fundamental  structural  axis.  Parallel  to  this  axis  are  the  directions 
along  which  compression  and  upheaval  took  place  in  the  early  cretaceous,  and  folding  of  the  tertiary  rocks  occurred 
at  the  close  of  the  miocene.  The  age  of  the  dike  is  certainly  postiniocene,  and  probably  postpliocene.  The  fissure 
system  of  the  mines  conforms  in  general  direction  with  that  of  the  dike,  and  it  is  probable  that  their  formation  is 
contemporaneous  5  also,  that  ore  deposition  took  place  at  no  great  interval  after  the  eruption  of  rhyolite. 

MINE   MINERALS   AND   ROCKS. 

The  ore  is  cinnabar,  sometimes  accompanied  by  native  mercury.  The  associated  minerals  are  pyrite,  marcasite, 
and  chalcopyrite.  The  gangue  minerals  are  dolomite,  calcite,  quartz,  and  bituminous  matter,  the  first  being  more 
prevalent  here  than  in  most  quicksilver  districts — a  fact  probably  not  unconnected  with  the  unusual  quantity  of 
limestone  in  the  sedimentary  rocks.  A  small  amount  of  chalcedony  and  opal,  usually  black  in  color,  accompanies 
the  deposits.  The  rocks  associated  with  cinnabar  in  this  district  include  every  variety  of  the  metamorphic  series. 
Where  the  rock  happens  to  be  a  permeable  sandstone  impregnations  have  resulted.  Elsewhere  the  ore  seems  to 
occur  exclusively  in  crevices  in  the  rock,  many  of  which  are  only  partially  filled.  In  some  cases  quartz,  reddened 
throughout  by  cinnabar,  occurs  in  this  manner.  There  is  no  indication  that  ore  has  been  deposited  by  substitution, 
or  that  the  rock  has  influenced  the  deposition  of  ore  by  its  chemical  properties.  Ore  is  found  with  nearly  equal 
frequency  in  contact  with  various  rocks,  and  the  existence  of  fissures  appears  to  have  been  the  necessary  and 
sufficient  condition  for  the  deposition  of  cinnabar  and  gangue  minerals.  Where  disturbances  of  the  country 
resulted  in  the  formation  of  open  fissures,  or  of  ground  presenting  a  large  amount  of  interstitial  space,  ore  bodies 
were  formed  5  but  where  the  rock  yielded  to  a  stress  as  a  plastic  mass  no  room  was  left  for  ore. 

ORE  DEPOSITS. 

The  commonest  type  of  the  ore  deposits  is  the  reticulated  mass  or  stock  work,  consisting  of  irregular  bodies  of 
broken  rock  into  which  solutions  of  cinnabar  and  gaugue  minerals  have  filtered,  cementing  the  fragments  together 
with  ore;  clean  cut  fissures  filled  with  ore  may  be  seen,  and  these  can  only  be  classed  as  veins,  though  they  are  not 
persistent. 

The  ore  in  the  New  Almaden  mine  seems  never  to  occur  except  close  to  evidences  of  faulting.  This  evidence 
consists  in  the  presence  of  layers  of  attrition  products,  so-called  clays,  full  of  slickensides,  and  of  fragments  of  rocks 
more  or  less  rounded  by  attrition.  These  layers  of  clay  usually  occur  on  the  hanging  side  of  deposits,  and  are  known 
to  the  miners  as  "  altas",  the  Spanish  term  for  u hanging  walls  ".  The  clays  are  impermeable  to  solutions  and  the  ore 
usually  forms  on  their  lower  side,  as  if  the  cinnabar  had  ascended  and  had  been  arrested  by  the  altas.  That  the 
solutions  really  took  this  course  is  clearly  shown  by  the  phenomena  of  other  quicksilver  districts  as  well  as  by  the 
relations  observed  in  the  New  Almaden  mine.  The  miners  very  properly  follow  seams  of  alta  in  their  search  for 
ore.  Sometimes,  however,  a  second  mass  of  ore  exists  on  the  hanging  side  of  the  clay,  and  is  again  limited  by  a 
second  layer  of  alta.  Such  occurrences  are  to  be  expected  in  a  country  so  irregularly  disturbed  as  this.  The  alta 
is  not  a  definite  substance,  though  it  is  usually  a  dark  or  black  mass  readily  distinguished  even  in  hand  specimens 
from  the  country  rock.  It  is  simply  triturated  country  rock,  and  varies  in  composition  with  the  material  from  which 
it  has  been  produced.  Its  black  color  is  in  part  due  to  the  presence  of  manganese.  The  evidence  of  moving  in  the 
New  Almaden  mine  is  not  confined  to  clays.  Where  the  opposing  walls  were  so  nearly  parallel  that  no  considerable 
quantity  of  trituratiou  took  place,  polishing  occurred,  and  some  of  the  slickensides  met  with  are  as  brilliantly  polished 
as  if  the  work  had  been  done  by  a  lapidary. 

a  This  article  and  the  following  under  the  headings  of  "Mine  minerals  and  rocks",  "Ore  deposits",  and  ''Fissure  system"  are  short  abstracts  of  the  article, 
"Descriptive  geology  of  the  New  Almadeu  district",  in  Mr.  George  F.  Becker's  monograph  on  the  geology  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  slope. 


204  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

FISSURE   SYSTEM. 

The  various  ore  bodies  of  the  mines  are  arranged  in  subordination  to  a  general  fissure  which  stands  in  close 
relation  to  the  general  geology  of  the  district.  The  fissures  are  the  result  of  a  Avidespread  disturbance,  and  the 
direction  of  their  strike,  southeast  and  southwest,  coincides  with  the  direction  of  the  fundamental  axis  of  the 
disturbance.  The  workings  in  the  main  portion  of  the  New  Almaden  mine  have  developed  two  principal  fissures, 
dipping  north.  One  of  these  dips  from  the  surface  at  a  high  angle,  and  in  a  nearly  straight  line.  The  other  strikes 
in  nearly  the  same  direction  as  the  first,  dips  steeply  from  the  surface,  then  flattens  and  approaches  the  first  fissure 
rapidly,  and  in  the  lower  workings  almost  coincides  with  the  first.  The  first  fissure  contains  the  ore  bodies  east 
of  the  Raudol  shaft,  which  are  continuous  from  the  800-foot  to  the  1,900-foot  level;  also  the  ore  bodies  west  of  the 
shaft  in  the  hanging  wall  side  of  the  other  fissure,  which  have  been  worked  froin  the  1,400-foot  to  the  2,000-foot 
level.  The  second  fissure  contains  the  continuous  ore  chute,  which  extends  from  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill  toward 
the  Santa  Isabel  shaft  down  to  the  2,000-foot  level. 

The  ore  deposits  of  the  Cora  Blanca  and  Washington  shafts  have  no  connection  with  those  of  the  main  mine. 
In  the  former  ore  has  been  traced  to  a  depth  of  750  feet  below  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill,  and  in  the  latter  to  a 
depth  of  850  feet.  The  Cora  Blanca  deposit  has  a  strike  of  north  18°  west,  magnetic,  and  has  a  dip  of  40°  to  the 
east.  The  strike  of  the  Washington  deposit  is  about  north  55°  west. 

The  ore-bearing  ground  of  the  Euriquita  mine  Avas  about  500  feet  in  length,  and  had  an  extreme  width  of  about 
60  feet,  the  dip  being  nearly  vertical.  The  ore  was  found  in  rich  pockets  in  limestone,  which  Avas  inclosed  on  both 
sides  by  serpentine. 

Besides  the  mines  mentioned,  there  are  a  number  of  abandoned  ones,  none  of  Avhich  was  ever  very  productive 
or  very  extensively  developed. 

All  the  deposits  of  the  district  appear  to  occur  along  a  rather  simple  fissure  system.  The  main  fissure  is  nearly 
parallel  to  the  rhyolite  dike  at  the  Guadalupe  mine.  It  follows  the  direction  of  the  hills,  the  axis  of  which  curves 
gradually  away  from  the  dike  for  a  certain  distance.  Passing  through  or  near  the  San  Antonio  and  Enriquita,  it 
seems  to  break  across  the  ridge  at  the  America  and  enters  the  Almaden  on  the  strike  of  its  great  fissure.  The 
Washington  seems  to  be  on  a  branch  of  the  main  fissure. 

HISTORY   OF   THE   MINES   AND   REDUCTION   WORKS. 

Andres  Castillero,  a  Mexican  captain  of  cavalry,  was  sent  by  his  government  in  October,  1845,  to  California  to 
confer  Avith  General  Sutter  for  the  purchase  of  his  fort,  established  in  Avhat  is  now  Sacramento  county.  Having 
arrived  at  Monterey,  he  began  his  land  journey  about  the  middle  of  October,  1845.  Being  informed  that  a  valuable 
mine  existed  in  the  hills  some  leagues  south  of  Santa  Clara,  he  Avent  there  to  inspect  the  mine,  Avhich  Avas  then  known 
as  Chaboya's  mine  (a).  Castillero,  having  some  knowledge  of  assaying,  tested  the  mineral,  which  he  thought 
contained  some  gold  and  silver  and  a  very  small  percentage  of  quicksilver.  This  last  metal  he  considered  then  of 
little  importance.  On  November  22,  1845,  he  made  the  "denouncement"  of  the  mine  before  the  alcalde  of  Santa 
Clara,  naming  the  mine  Santa  Clara,  in  which  he  claimed  to  have  discovered  a  vein  of  silver  Avith  an  alloy  of  gold, 
being  situated  on  the  rancho  pertaining  to  Jose  Reyes  Bereyessa. 

On  December  3, 1845,  he  again  appeared  before  the  same  alcalde  and  stated  that  on  opening  the  mine  Avhich  he 
had  previously  denounced  in  his  court  he  had,  besides  silver  Avith  an  alloy  of  gold,  also  taken  out  liquid  quick sihrer, 
and  on  December  30,  1845,  Antonio  Maria  Pico,  the  alcalde,  gave  Castillero  judicial  possession  of  the  mine,  to  be 
known  as  Santa  Clara. 

Castillero  associated  with  him  in  this  enterprise  Don  Jose  Castro,  then  commanding  general  of  the  Mexican 
forces  at  Monterey,  Secuudino  and  Teodoro  Kobles,  and  the  father  friar  Jose  Maria  del  Eefugio  Suarez  del  Real, 
and  went  with  the  last  named  to  the  mine  to  begin  operations  in  December,  1845.  Castillero  and  Padre  Real  employed 
William  G.  Chard,  a  native  of  NCAV  York,  to  open  the  mine.  Having  no  retorts  of  any  kind,  Chard  put  the  ore  in 
gun  barrels,  the  mouths  of  which  he  placed  in  water,  and,  heating  the  barrels  over  a  fire,  distilled  some  metal.  This 
process,  however,  Avas  soon  abandoned  for  a  better  one.  A  hole  or  Avell  Avas  dug  in  the  ground  and  a  trough  full  of 
water  was  placed  in  the  bottom.  Bars  of  iron  were  laid  across  the  top  of  the  well,  and  a  copper  still  Avith  the  upper 
part  coming  up  through  the  bars  reached  down  into  the  water.  Ore  was  then  piled  on  the  bars,  and  a  whaler's  trying 
pot  Avas  reversed  over  the  heaped  ore,  wood  piled  around  the  pot  and  over  it,  and  then  set  on  fire.  The  mercury 
vapors  were  forced  through  the  pipe  into  the  water  by  the  heat.  In  this  primitive  way  from  3  to  4  tons  of  ore  could 
be  reduced  with  from  6  to  8  cords  of  Avood,  the  operation  lasting  from  1C  to  18  hours.  As  the  escaping  vapors  made 
the  Avork  very  dangerous,  Padre  Real  conceived  the  idea  of  building  a  new  furnace.  This  was  made  of  adobes,  10 
feet  high  and  about  8  feet  in  diameter  on  the  outside,  with  2  chambers  inside,  one  above  the  other.  The  top  of  the 
lower  chamber,  Avhich  Avas  used  as  the  fireplace,  Avas  made  full  of  holes,  through  Avhich  the  flames  could  pass  into 

alt  is  also  stated  that  the  mine  had  been  known  long  before  this  time,  and  that  Autonio  Siiiiol,  Luis  Chaboya,  and  an  old  man  named  Robles  first  discovered 
and  worked  the  mine  as  early  as  1824,  and  that  to  work  the  ore  a  mill  had  been  built  by  Chaboya  on  the  creek  now  called  Alamitos.  It  is  also  said  that  the  Indians 
came  to  the  mine  to  get  paint,  which  they  called  "pooyi". 


QUICKSILVER.  205 

the  upper  chamber  that  was  filled  with  ore.  The  upper  chamber  had  a  large  hole  on  top  for  charging  it  with  ore. 
This  hole  was  closed  by  an  iron  door  during  the  operation  of  firing,  and  cemented,  and  6  or  8  iron  pipes  led  the 
vapors  from  the  upper  chamber  into  a  water  tank  (evidently  a  copy  of  the  Bustamente  furnace  without  the  aludels). 
This  furnace,  built  only  of  sun-dried  bricks,  or  adobes,  did  not  succeed  very  well,  as  it  bursted  when  the  fire  became 
very  hot,  and  badly  salivated  Chard  and  the  men  working  at  it.  It  was  therefore  charged  only  once. 

Castillero  had  returned  to  Mexico  early  in  1846  to  report  the  result  of  his  mission,  and  while  there  appealed 
to  the  Mexican  government  for  aid  in  his  mining  enterprise,  in  which  he  succeeded.  A  contract  was  made  with 
him  in  the  City  of  Mexico  in  May,  1846,  by  which  the  government  agreed  to  advance  to  Castillero  and  his  associates 
the  sum  of  $5,000  and  give  other  aid  for  the  development  of  the  mine.  Unluckily  for  Castillero,  the  difficulties 
just  then  broke  out  between  the  United  States  and  the  Mexican  government,  which,  ended  in  the  cession  of  California, 
and  the  Mexican  government,  foreseeing  this  danger,  stopped  the  payment  of  the  stipulated  sum  to  Castillero. 
Padre  Eeal  had  been  left  at  the  mine  to  take  care  of  it.  Left  to  their  own  resources,  and  not  having  the  means  to 
carry  on  the  work  and  make  the  necessary  improvements,  Don  Jose  Castro,  for  himself  and  associates,  then  made 
a  contract  with  the  banking  firm  of  Barron,  Forbes  &  Co.,  of  San  Bias  and  Tepic,  Mexico,  by  which  the  latter 
became  lessees  of  the  mine  for  16  years,  and  some  time  after  making  the  contract  became  part  owners  in  the  mine 
by  the  purchase  of  some  of  the  shares.  Mr.  J.  A.  Forbes  took  charge  of  the  mine  for  Barron,  Forbes  &  Co.  in 
August,  1846,  possession  being  given  by  Padre  Real.  The  new  firm  changed  the  name  of  the  mine,  calling  it  New 
Almaden. 

When  Forbes  arrived  at  the  mine  the  underground  workings  consisted  only  of  an  adit  or  horizontal  entrance, 
20  or  25  feet  in  length  through  the,  rock.  The  quicksilver  ore  was  in  sight  on  either  side.  There  was  a  floor  or 
planilla  on  the  outside  of  the  tunnel,  formed  of  the  waste  material  broken  from  the  mine.  Chard,  as  major-domo, 
was  in  charge,  assisted  by  a  white  man  (a  blacksmith)  and  several  Indians.  One  of  the  Indians  remained  constantly 
at  the  mine  to  guard  it,  and  slept  in  the  tunnel  at  night.  They  were  then  not  actively  engaged  in  extracting 
ore,  but  the  reduction  of  the  ore  took  place  at  the  hacienda  near  the  creek  every  day,  sometimes  with  2  pots. 
The  ore  was  brought  down  from  the  hill  on  mules'  backs.  A  log  house,  as  dwelling,  and  a  blacksmith  shop  were 
the  only  buildings  constructed.  Forbes  received  from  Padre  Real  2,000  pounds  of  quicksilver  that  had  already 
been  distilled,  (a) 

Forbes  then  erected  furnaces  with  retorts  made  of  4  potash  kettles,  built  into  walls  of  adobe,  with  condensers 
of  masonry  work  immediately  adjacent.  400  pounds  of  ore  of  average  quality,  broken  into  lumps  the  size  of 
an  apple,  were  put  into  each  kettle  or  retort,  the  covers  put  on  and  luted  with  a  layer  of  sand.  The  fires  were  then 
kept  up  till  near  night,  when  the  furnaces  were  allowed  to  cool  gradually.  On  the  next  morning  the  condensers  were 
opened  and  the  metal,  which  usually  amounted  to  from  300  to  400  pounds  from  the  4  pots,  dipped  up.  This  was  a 
much  less  percentage  than  the  usual  assay  indicated,  and  it  was  obvious  that  a  large  portion  of  the  metal  was  lost. 
Forbes  wished  to  devise  some  way  of  extracting  the  metal  without  mixing  lime  with  the  ore  in  roasting,  but  was 
unsuccessful.  At  length  a  kiln  of  lime  was  burned,  and  "  I  am  informed",  says  Rev.  Chester  S.  Lymau,  the  surveyor, 
"  that  the  ores  yield  with  this  a  vastly  greater  percentage  of  metal.  In  the  last  3  weeks  about  10,000  pounds  of 
metal  have  been  extracted  with  the  same  apparatus,  being  a  yield  of  over  50  per  cent ".  Mr.  Lyman  stated  that  in 
February,  1848,  while  Alexander  Forbes  was  at  the  mine  as  superintendent,  there  were  4  furnaces  in  operation  for 
extracting  quicksilver,  employing  from  20  to  30  men.  (b) 

Dr.  Tobin  arrived  from  England  during  the  year  1849  to  take  charge  of  the  reduction  works.  According  to  his 
jgtter  in  Ure's  Dictionary  of  Arts,  volume  n,  page  140,  the  mine  resembled  then  a  gigantic  rabbit  warren.  Its 
greatest  depth  was  about  150  feet,  arid  the  weekly  extraction  of  ore  varied  from  100  to  150  tons.  Dr.  Tobin  got  16 
cylinders  (retorts)  at  work,  producing  from  1,400  to  1,500  pounds  of  quicksilver  daily.  This  result  was  satisfactory 
so  far  as  production  was  concerned,  but  not  so  as  regarded  expense  in  fuel  and  labor.  6  furnaces  of  the  Idria 
style  were  built  by  Mr.  Baker,  each  of  1  ton  capacity,  and  2  more  of  a  larger  size  by  Dr.  Tobin.  Very  rich 
ore  was  burned  in  these  furnaces,  but  as  they  were  badly  constructed  so  far  as  the  bottoms  of  the  condensers  were 
concerned,  very  large  quantities  of  quicksilver  ran  through  the  foundations  into  the  ground,  which  in  later  years  was 
recovered  by  washings.  The  small  Baker  furnaces  were  built  on  the  south  side  of  Alamitos  creek,  and  Tobiu's 
furnaces  on  the  north  side.  Tobin's  big  furnace  did  not  last  long;  it  burst  in  many  places,  and  salivated  all  the 
workmen.  It  was  therefore  determined  to  build  the  so-called  medium  furnaces  of  about  15,000  pounds  capacity. 

Mr.  Russell  Bartlett,  the  United  States  commissioner  on  the  Mexican  and  United  States  boundary  question,  who 
visited  California  in  1853,  states  that  the  quantity  of  quicksilver  annually  produced  at  New  Almaden  exceeded 
1,000,000  pounds,  and  makes  mention  of  6  furnaces  that  were  kept  going  night  and  day.  7  or  8  days  were  required 
for  1  furnace  operation ;  that  is,  charging,  firing,  and  discharging.  The  men  working  at  the  furnaces  were  so  much 
affected  by  the  escaping  vapors  that  they  were  kept  at  the  work  for  3  or  4  weeks  only,  when  a  fresh  set  of  workmen 
were  put  in  their  place. 


a  Silliman's  Journal :  Letter  of  Rev.  C.  S.  Lyman,  Pueblo  do  San  Jos£,  March  24,  1848. 
b  United  States  vs.  Andres  Castillero,  Jfo.  420,  1859,  page  12,  transcript  of  record. 


206 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES   IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Mr.  Ruschenberger  gives  a  more  detailed  account  of  The  distilling  apparatus,  as  follows:  (a) 

A  kind  of  reverberatory  furnace  3  feet  by  .">  feet  is  arranged  at  the  extremity  of  a  scries  of  chambers  of  nearly,  if  not  exactly,  the 
same  dimensions,  namely,  7  feet  long.  4  feet  wide,  and  5  feet  high.  There  are  8  or  10  of  these  chambers  in  each  series,  built  of  brick, 
plastered  inside,  and  secured  by  iron  rods,  armed  at  the  ends  with  screws  and  nuts  as  a  protection  against  the  expansion  by  heat.  The 
tops  are  of  boiler  iron,  luted  with  ashes  and  salt.  The  first  chamber  is  for  a  wood  fire,  the  second  is  the  ore  chamber,  which  is  separated 
from  the  first  by  a  network  partition  of  brick.  The  flame  of  the  fire  passes  through  the  square  holes  of  this  partition,  and  plays  upon 
the  ore  in  the  ore  chamber,  which  when  fully  charged  contains  10,000  pounds  (5  tons)  of  cinnabar.  Next  to  the  ore  chamber  is  the  first 
condensing  chamber,  which  communicates  with  it  by  a  square  hole  at  the  left  lower  corner.  An  opening  at  the  right  upper  corner  of 
the  partition  between  the  second  and  third  condensing  chambers  communicates  with  the  latter.  The  openings  between  the  chambers 
are  at  the  top  and  to  the  right  and  at  the  bottom  and  to  the  left  alternately,  so  that  the  vapors  from  the  ore  chambers  are  forced  to 
describe  a  spiral  in  their  passage  through  the  8  condensers.  The  vapor  and  smoke  pass  from  the  last  condensing  chamber  through  a 
square  wooden  box,  8  or  10  feet  long,  in  which  there  is  a  continuous  shower  of  cold  water,  and  finally  escape  into  the  open  air  by  tall 
wooden  flues.  The  floor  or  bottom  of  each  condensing  chamber  is  about  2  feet  above  the  ground,  and  is  arranged  with  gutters  for 
collecting  the  condensed  mercury  and  conveying  it  into  an  open  conduit,  along  which  it  flows  into  an  iron  receptacle,  from  which  it  is 
poured  into  the  iron  flasks.  There  are  14  of  these  furnaces  and  ranges  of  condensers,  with  passages  of  8  or  10  feet  in  width  between  them. 
A  shed  is  constructed  above  the  Avhole  at  a  sufficient  elevation  to  permit  free  circulation  of  the  air. 

The  firing  was  kept  up  for  60  liours,  and  the  furnaces  required  48  hours  for  cooling  before  they  could  be  discharged. 
The  fine  ores  were  mixed  with  clay  and  water  arid  made  into  bricks  called  "adobes",  size  10  inches  by  4.5  by  4.5 
inches,  dried  in  the  sun.  The  larger  pieces  of  ore  and  adobe  were  then  piled  up  in  the  ore  chamber,  which,  when  fully 
charged,  contained  about  5  tons  of  ore.  Tliis  style  of  furnace  remained  in  operation  during  the  following  years, 
the  only  modifications  made  being  the  size,  which  was  considerably  increased. 

In  1863,  when  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company  took  possession  of  the  property,  there  were  5  intermittent 
furnaces  at  the  hacienda,  while  a  new  furnace,  No.  6,  was  completed  in  December,  1864,  with  a  capacity  of  84  tons. 


NUMBER  OF  FURNACE. 

1   _          ., 
When  lint  put  in  operation.  Lggfigi., 

1                 

July,  1861  

40 
40 
40 
40 

40 

3  
4                   

May,  1862  
November,  1862  
September,  1863  

May,  1864  

Furnace  No.  1  was  the  only  one  built  without  iron  plates  in  its  foundation,  while  all  the  other  furnaces  were 
so  provided. 

The  subsequent  improvements  in  the  furnace  plant  were  as  follows : 

In  1873  the  first  shaft  furnace  continuous  in  operation  was  built,  after  the  Page  patent,  on  the  site  of  old 
furnace  No.  2,  which  was  removed  for  this  purpose. 

Furnace  No.  5  (b)  received  an  addition  to  its  condensation  plant  by  the  erection  of  2  iron  condensers  of  the 
Fiedler  patent. 

Furnace  No.  6  (6)  had  a  wooden  condenser  added,  26  feet  in  length,  14  feet  in  width,  and  20  feet  high,  containing 
6  chambers  of  equal  size.  The  result  of  this  addition  was  very  gratifying,  as  was  found  by  the  examination  of  the 
flue,  which  formerly  had  yielded  from  60  to  100  flasks  of  quicksilver  annually  and  only  2  flasks  after  the  new 
condensers  went  into  operation.  The  flue  was  also  extended  a  distance  of  100  feet  and  a  new  smokestack  erected. 

Furnace  No.  7  (6),  having  been  unserviceable  for  3  years  was  torn  down,  with  its  first  3  condensers. 

Furnace  No.  1  had  then  17  condensing  chambers;  No.  2  18  condensing  chambers;  Nos.  3  and  4  combined  39 
condensing  chambers;  No.  5  20  condensing  chambers,  besides  2  Fiedler  condensers,  and  No.  6  20  brick  condensing 
chambers  and  6  wooden  chambers. 

Another  improvement  with  advantageous  results  was  the  introduction  of  openings  (covered  with  glass)  into  all 
the  upper  part  of  the  brick  and  wooden  condensers,  allowing  the  outer  and  cooler  air  to  come  more  easily  in  contact 
with  the  hot  fumes,  as  the  thickness  of  a  thin  pane  of  glass  only  intervened,  which  insured  a  more  rapid  and  thorough 
condensation.  Trials  were  also  made  during  1873  to  introduce  the  combustible  with  the  ore.  Coal,  coke,  and  charcoal 
were  first  used,  but  later  only  coke  and  charcoal,  as  the  use  of  coal  was  not  considered  beneficial.  It  was  considered 
that  this  process  would  be  advantageous  in  burning  and  roasting  the  ore  more  perfectly  and  rapidly,  especially  in 
places  where  the  flame  from  the  wood  fire  of  the  fireplace  could  not  reach  freely. 

In  1874  the  continuous  shaft  furnace  No.  2,  built  in  the  previous  year  according  to  the  Page  patent,  not  proving 
as  beneficial  as  anticipated,  the  discharge  of  ore  being  irregular,  was  partially  razed  and  rebuilt  into  an  improved, 
old  style  intermittent  furnace,  and  exclusively  used  for  the  burning  of  adobes,  with  a  capacity  of  111,000  pounds  of 
adobes  per  charge,  or  444,000  pounds  per  month.  The  condensing  chambers  of  this  furnace,  which  were  the  same 
as  originally  used  for  the  old  furnace,  consisting  of  a  solid  block  of  18  chambers,  were  divided  into  2  blocks  by 
cutting  out  one  of  the  chambers  and  thereby  obtaining  a  better  circulation  of  air,  not  only  on  the  outside  walls  but 
also  through  the  lower  arches  and  passageways  on  which  these  condensers  are  built.  The  subject  of  a  more 
economical  and  improved  method  of  reduction  and  condensation  was  the  object  of  constant  study  and  experiment, 


a  Ure's  Dictionary  of  Art,  supplement,  page  743. 


b  Built  prior  to  1870.  and  intermittent. 


QUICKSILVER  207 

and  the  results  are  evidenced  by  the  introduction  of  the  new  iron  condensers  of  the  Fiedler  patent  and  those  made 
of  wood  and  glass  of  the  Kanclol  &  Fiedler  patent,  also  the  introduction  of  the  improved  method  of  extracting 
quicksilver  from  the  soot  by  the  Kandol  &  Wright  process.  4  wood  and  glass  condensers  of  the  new  style  were 
built  for  furnace  No.  5,  each  being  22  feet  long,  8  feet  wide,  and  1.5  feet  high,  a  cast-iron  condenser  of  the  Fiedler 
type  being  also  added.  A  wooden  tower,  with  an  upcast  and  downcast  shaft,  was  erected  for  furnaces  Nos.  1  and 
2,  in  the  rear  of  the  last  condenser,  the  downcast  shaft  being  supplied  from  the  top  with  a  spray  of  water  which 
fell  through  a  series  of  triangular  wooden  cross-pieces  inserted  into  the  sides  of  the  shaft  in  alternate  opposite 
directions,  which  divided  the  water  into  minute  particles,  intended  to  combine  with  the  fumes  from  the  condensers, 
in  order  to  precipitate  all  the  metallic  content  reaching  this  point. 

Furnace  No.  7,  ironclad,  of  the  continuous  type,  nearly  alike  to  those  in  operation  at  the  Idria  mine  in  Austria, 
was  also  commenced  in  1874  and  finished  in  1875.  2  brick  towers  and  2  large  brick  condensers  were  added  to  the 
plant  of  this  furnace.  From  these  the  fumes  were  made  to  pass  through  the  condensers  of  furnace  No.  5  (not  then 
in  operation),  and  thence  into  the  4  new  wood  and  glass  condensers  above  mentioned.  As  this  left  furnace  No.  5  with 
only  2  iron  condensers,  a  new  series  of  condensers  were  built  for  the  latter  furnace,  of  which  2  were  of  brick  and  3 
of  wood  and  glass,  the  last  ones  being  each  12  feet  long,  12  feet  wide,  and  20  feet  high,  with  34  large  windows,  each 
condenser  being  divided  into  4  chambers.  A  new  flume  1,000  feet  in  length,  made  of  Oregon  pine  and  leading  to  a 
central  chimney,  was  also  built,  which  received  all  the  fumes  from  furnaces  Nos.  3,  4,  and  G.  The  old  brick 
condensers  were  provided  with  new  openings,  closed  in  by  windows  of  glass  or  iron,  for  better  cooling  the  vapors. 

In  1875  the  flue  began  in  1874  was  completed  and  proved  of  much  benefit  by  carrying  the  smoke  away  from 
the  hacienda.  Another  wood  and  glass  condenser,  12  feet  square  and  20  feet  high,  made  into  4  compartments  and 
provided  with  34  large  windows,  was  added  to  the  plant  of  furnace  No.  5.  Furnace  No.  7  received  the  addition  of 
2  brick  towers  to  its  condensation  plant,  each  7.5  feet  wide,  12  feet  long,  and  20  feet  high;  also  2  brick  condensers, 
one  27  feet  long,  10.5  feet  wide,  and  27  feet  high,  and  the  other  20  feet  long,  20  feet  wide,  and  10  feet  high.  Furnace 
No.  1  received  the  addition  of  another  large  wooden  condenser  built  on  the  same  plan  as  those  for  furnace  No.  5. 
The  wooden  tower  erected  in  1874  for  furnaces  Nos.  1  and  2  and  provided  with  water  spray  was  removed,  as  it  was 
found  to  operate  badly.  To  give  additional  condensing  space  to  furnaces  Nos.  1  and  2  a  large  brick  tower  was 
erected  on  the  adjacent  hillside  and  connected  by  wooden  flues  with  the  last  condensers  of  these  furnaces,  whence 
the  smoke  passes  into  the  main  flue  that  leads  up  the  mountain  side  to  the  chimney.  The  brick  chimney  serving 
as  outlet  to  furnaces  Nos.  5  and  7  was  raised  a  further  height  of  32  feet,  altogether  62  feet,  to  increase  its  draft. 
2  Fiedler  iron  condensers  were  added  to  the  condensing  plant  of  furnace  No.  6  and  connected  with  a  Boot  blower, 
driven  by  a  small  steam  engine,  to  withdraw  from  the  furnace  any  mercurial  vapors  remaining  after  firing  had  ceased 
(the  furnace  being  intermittent).  Foundation  was  laid  at  the  end  of  December,  1875,  for  another  ironclad  furnace, 
No.  9,  similar  to  No.  7  (a),  in  successful  operation.  Experiments  were  made  with  the  object  of  constructing  a 
continuous  furnace  for  the  burning  of  tierras  without  making  them  into  adobes,  and  No.  5  furnace  was  changed 
into  a  trial  furnace  for  this  purpose,  and  worked  so  satisfactorily  that  plans  were  made  for  the  double  continuous 
furnace,  No.  8  (&).  The  construction  of  the  additional  condensers,  wherever  found  necessary,  during  the  past  2 
years  had  given  very  good  results,  and  scarcely  any  quicksilver  was  found  in  the  flues  leading  away  from  the  last 
condensers,  and  in  the  whole  aggregate  length  of  these  flues  of  1,643  feet  (leaving  out  joint  flue  of  Nos.  5  and  7 
furnaces,  as  both  furnaces  were  in  operation  and  are  continuous  in  action)  only  6  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  collected 
after  a  run  of  16  months'  operation. 

The  2  ironclad  continuous  furnaces,  No.  9,  for  granza  or  coarse  ore,  and  No.  8,  for  tierras-  or  fine  ore,  were 
completed  and  put  in  operation  during  the  year  1876.  It  is  interesting  to  show  the  cost  and  profit  of  working  the 
continuous  tierras  furnace,  based  on  actual  work  for  39  days  and  giving  1.40  per  cent  yield  of  quicksilver: 

Cost  of  tierras  at  the  mine  and  dumps,  10  cents  per  carga,  or  per  ton $0.  67 

Cost  of  transportation 0.  35 


Total  cost  of  tierras. .  1.  02 


One  day's  supply  for  No.  8  furnace,  24  tons,  at  $1.02  per  ton $24. 48 

Labor  of  5  men  in  24  hours '. 12. 00 

Fuel,  2.57  cords  wood,  at  $6  per  cord 15. 42 

Flasks..  9.00 


Total  cost,  $7.766  per  flask,  or 60. 90 

Estimated  daily  yield,  9  flasks  of  quicksilver,  at  50  cents  per  pound 344. 25 

Daily  profit 283.  35 

As  the  furnace  is  expected  to  run  at  least  300  days  in  the  year,  the  annual  profit  would  be  $85,000  from  this 
furnace  alone.  The  dumps  and  old  workings  of  the  mine  contained  a  large  amount  of  tierras  that  could  be  profitably 
worked  in  this  new  furnace.  Of  the  old  style  intermittent  furnaces  No.  6  was  the  most  favorable  exponent,  giving 
the  best  results  for  labor  and  fuel.  In  1876  the  average  cost  of  working  ores  in  it  was  $1.97  per  ton,  of  which  63 


a  Continuous  furnace  of  Exeli  type.  b  Tierra  furnace,  Huttner  &  Scott  patent. 


208  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

cents  was  for  furnace  labor  and  $1.34  for  fuel.     To  roast  tierras  in  the  intermittent  furnaces  it  was  necessary  to  first 
make  them  into  adobes,  at  a  cost  of  95  cents  per  ton  for  making  and  handling. 

With  this  data  the  cost  of  roasting  all  the  ores  handled  in  1876  can  be  arrived  at  if  the  work  had  been  done 
in  the  old  style  furnace  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances: 

The  coarse  ores  roasted  were  7,392  tons,  at  $1.97  per  ton $14,  562.  24 

9,266  tons  tierras  cost  $1.97  per  ton  roasting  and  95  cents  per  ton  making  into  adobes  and 
handling,  together  $2.92  per  ton 27,056.72 

Total  cost  of  16,658  tons  for  labor  and  fuel,  $2.4985  per  ton 41,  618.  96 

Now,  the  ironclad  continuous  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9  roasted  coarse  ore  at  a  cost  of  $1.1833  per  ton,  of  which 
there  is  for  furnace  labor  52  cents  and  fuel  6C.33  cents;  the  continuous  tierras  furnace  No.  8  works  tierras  without 
making  into  adobes  at  a  cost  of  $1.1425  per  ton,  50  cents  being  for  labor  and  G4.25  cents  for  fuel.  The  cost 
would  therefore  be  as  follows : 

7,392  tons  coarse  ore  roasted  in  improved  furnaces  (continuous),  at  $1.1833  per  ton $8,  747. 20 

9,266  tons  tierras  not  made  into  adobes  but  roasted  in  new  continuous  furnace,  at  $1.1425 
per  ton 10,586.40 

Total  cost  of  16,658  tons  for  labor  and  fuel,  at  $1.1606  per  ton 19,  333. 60 


The  year's  work  in  old  furnaces  cost 41,  618. 96 

The  year's  work  in  new  furnaces  cost 19,  333.  60 


In  favor  of  new  furnaces,  53.54  per  cent 22,  285.  36 


2. 4985 
1. 1606 


Decrease,  53.54  per  cent 1.  3379 

The  first  3  condensing  chambers  of  No.  6  furnace  were  taken  down  and  in  their  place  a  new  condenser  with 
drying  chamber  for  moist  tierras  was  erected.  The  first  block  of  condensers  of  furnace  No.  5  was  covered  on  top- 
with  iron  plates  to  form  a  drying  floor  for  moist  tierras.  The  ironclad  furnace  No.  9  was  completed  in  April,  and1 
was  started  on  May  13.  2  brick  condensers  and  2  wood  and  glass  condensers  were  erected  for  this  furnace  and 
connected  with  the  four  similar  condensers  formerly  belonging  to  No.  5. 

For  a  period  of  4  months  continuous  operation  of  the  2  ironclad  shaft  furnaces,  Nos.  7  and  9,  it  was  found 
that  the  amount  of  ore  burned  was : 

POUNDS. 

Granza 3, 113,  600 

Terrero 1, 571, 200 

Total 4,684,800 

or  2,342.4  tons. 

The  expenses  were : 

For  labor $1,  220. 00 

For  182.75  cords  of  wood,  at  $6  per  cord 1,  096. 50 

For  70,272  pounds  of  coke,  at  $13  per  ton 456.  76 


Total 2,773.26 

The  furnaces  during  this  time  yielded  6,382  flasks  of  quicksilver,  with  the  following  result : 

Cost  of  labor  per  flask .* $0. 190 

Cost  of  wood 0. 172 

Cost  of  coke..  0.072 


Total  cost  per  flask 0.  434 

The  new  ironclad  tierras,  furnace  No.  8,  Huttner  &  Scott  patent,  was  completed  in  October  and  started  November 
1,  1876.  This  furnace  roasts  24  tons  of  tierras  in  24  hours.  It  has  two  brick  condensers  covered  and  joined  by  iron 
plates,  which  serve  as  a  drying  floor  for  tierras,  2  iron  condensers,  and  7  condensers  of  wood  and  glass.  The  furnace 
itself  is  46  feet  high,  10  feet  wide,  and  38  feet  long. 

In  1877  a  large  bathhouse  was  built  for  the  men  working  at  furnaces.  A  new  brick  flue  was  built  for  furnaces 
Nos.  3,  4,  6,  and  8,  and  a  brick  chimney  was  added  81  feet  high.  The  cornerstone  was  laid  on  August  25, 1877,  for 
a  new  granzita  and  tierras  furnace,  No.  3,  of  the  Huttner  &  Scott  type,  on  the  site  of  old  intermittent  furnace  No.  3, 
which  was  torn  down. 

Comparing  the  results  from  No.  8  furnace  with  assays  of  samples  taken  from  each  car  of  tierras  before  charging 
the  furnace,  it  was  found  that  during  the  months  of  November  and  December,  1876,  and  January,  February,  March, 
and  April,  1877,  this  furnace  roasted  5,278,000  pounds  of  tierras,  the  actual  yield  of  which  amounted  to  81,319.5 
pounds  of  quicksilver,  while  the  theoretical  amount  according  to  assays  indicated  87,862.5  pounds  contained  in  the 
ore.  This  shows  a  loss  in  reduction  of  6,543  pounds,  or  7.45  per  cent.  Allowing,  however,  5  per  cent  of  the  total 
w  -j;ht  of  the  tierras  for  moisture,  there  was  only  a  loss  of  2.58  per  cent. 


QUICKSILVP:R.  209 

With  the  coarse  ore  furnaces,  Nos.  7  and  9,  from  which  assay  samples  could  not  be  obtained  without  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  and  additional  expense,  a  similar  calculation  could  not  be  made,  but  as  these  furnaces  had  each  a 
separate  system  of  condensers  (No.  7  nearly  all  of  brick  and  No.  1)  of  brick  and  the  greater  part  of  wood  and  glass), 
it  was  remarkable  that  after  a  continuous  campaign  with  these  furnaces  for  9  months  ended  May  31,  1877,  during 
which  time  each  furnace  roasted  5,241, (500  pounds,  the  ore  for  both  furnaces  having  been  taken  from  the  same  ore 
bin,  the  yield  of  No.  7  furnace  was  .found  to  have  been  7,539  flasks,  and  that  of  No.  9  furnace  7,541  flasks,  the 
difference  in  yield  between  the  2  furnaces  being  only  2  flasks. 

Large  weighing  scales  had  been  placed  on  the  track  over  which  the  loaded  cars  passed,  so  that  each  charge  of 
1,000  pounds  of  ore  Avas  accurately  weighed. 

In  February,  1878,  the  new  ironclad  furnace  No.  3  was  completed.  On  December  30  of  the  same  year  the 
work  of  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9  ended  for  the  purpose  of  annual  cleaning.  The  result  was  for  No.  7  furnace,  716 
Masks,  and  for  No.  9,  720  flasks,  a  difference  of  4  flasks,  both  furnaces  having  been  charged  with  equal  amounts  of  the 
same  grade  of  ore.  In  furnace  No.  7,  however,  a  trial  had  been  made  of  adding  240  pounds  of  lime  to  each  charge, 
but  as  the  furnace  produced  less  quicksilver  with  the  same  grade  of  ore  the  addition  of  lime  was  not  considered 
beneficial  and  was  discontinued. 

The  intermittent  furnace  No.  2  was  changed  into  a  Huttner  &  Scott  continuous  furnace  for  granzita,  with  a 
daily  capacity  of  18  tons,  and  received  the  first  charge  of  ore  on  June  20,  1879.  Furnace  No.  1  was  pulled  down 
and  rebuilt  like  No.  2  furnace,  with  a  capacity  of  30  tons  daily,  and  finished  in  January,  1880.  The  condensation 
plant  of  both  furnaces  was  also  increased  at  the  same  time  by  adding  14  wood  and  glass  condensers  of  the  latest 
style,  each  4.5  feet  square  and  25  feet  high,  to  furnace  No.  2,  and  21  of  the  same  style  to  furnace  No.  1. 

During  the  year  1882  one  Idria  condenser,  consisting  of  three  cast-iron  pipes,  each  22  inches  in  diameter, 
standing  in  a  tank  and  surrounded  by  cold  water,  was  added  to  the  condensing  system  of  furnace  No.  7.  The  flue 
leading  from  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9  having  been  also  connected  with  the  brick  flue  leading  to  the  chimney  for  furnaces 
Nos.  3,  6,  and  8  during  the  previous  year,  a  Guibal  fan,  worked  by  a  small  tangent  wheel  driven  by  water  under 
high  pressure,  was  added  to  the  brick  flue  to  exhaust  the  smoke  by  strong  draft.  The  large  brick  condensers 
of  furnaces  Nos.  3  and  0,  and  later  on  those  of  Nos.  1  and  2,  were  improved  by  cutting  out  every  third  chamber 
airl  connecting  the  different  blocks  by  a  system  of  inclined  earthernware  pipes.  The  so-called  water  back, 
consisting  of  a  number  of  4-inch  tubes  filled  with  running  water  and  passing  through  one  of  the  chambers  nearest 
the  furnace,  was  first  tried  with  furnace  No.  2,  and  gave  such  good  results  that  this  system  of  cooling  the  vapors 
was  finally  introduced  in  all  the  first  two  condensers  of  the  different  furnaces. 

In  the  year  1882  experiments  were  made  to  burn  coal,  in  part,  with  wood.  These  experiments  gave  good  results 
with  some  of  the  furnaces,  but  were  discontinued  immediately  in  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9,  as  the  small  amount  of  coal 
used  (300  pounds,  in  place  of  one-fourth  of  a  cord  of  wood)  did  not  generate  the  required  heat.  A  set  of  wooden 
screens  to  aid  the  condensation  of  the  vapors  was  introduced  in  one  of  the  rear  condensers  of  furnace  No.  2,  and  the 
same  arrangement  added  to  condensers  of  furnace  No.  3.  Two  new  brick  condensers  were  built  in  place  of  the  wood 
and  glass  condensers  for  furnace  No.  8,  each  being  10  feet  wide,  29  feet  long,  and  30  feet  high,  covered  on  top  with 
iron  plates  cooled  by  flowing  water,  and  each  divided  into  2  chambers,  the  last  condenser  also  provided  with  sloping 
zigzag  screens.  A  water-tank  condenser  like  that  for  furnace  No.  7  was  also  added,  differing  only  in  having 
earthenware  pipes  in  place  of  the  costly  iron  ones.  The  iron  roofing,  being  soon  destroyed  by  the  acid  vapors,  was 
replaced  by  thick  boards,  and  the  use  of  water  thereon  for  cooling  was  abandoned  in  consequence. 

The  introduction  in  the  line  of  condensers  in  1881  and  1882  of  water  backs  and  the  new  style  of  Idria 
condensers,  consisting  of  cast-iron  pipes  standing  in  a  tank  of  cold  water,  also  the  partitioning  of  the  larger 
condenser  chambers,  proved  very  effective,  as  demonstrated  by  the  small  amount  of  quicksilver  obtained  in  the 
rear  condensers  and  the  proportional  amount  in  the  first  condensers  of  the  system  thus  fitted  up.  The  artificial 
draft  by  the  Guibal  fan  also  worked  so  well  that  no  further  cases  of  salivation  occurred.  Furnace  No.  9  was 
supplied,  therefore,  with  a  new  Idria  condenser  like  No.  7,  with  iron  pipes  and  water  tank,  and  new  brick  condensers 
containing  revolving  screens  were  added  during  the  year  1883. 

In  1885  a  Guibal  fan  was  placed  in  connection  with  furnaces  Nos.  1  and  2,  and  the  chimney  flue  of  these  furnaces 
was  extended  270  feet  farther  uphill  in  1887. 

A  detailed  account  of  the  furnaces  and  condensers  has  been  published  in  the  transactions  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  volumes  xin  and  xiv,  from  papers  by  Samuel  B.  Christy,  Berkeley,  California, 
entitled  u Quicksilver  reduction  at  New  Almaden",  and  "Quicksilver  condensation  at  New  Almaden".  A  few 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  furnace  work  at  New  Almaden  since  the  publication  of  these  papers. 

The  addition  of  1.5  per  cent  of  fuel  in  the  form  of  coke  and  charcoal  to  every  charge  of  1,600  pounds  of  coarse 
ore  in  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9  has  been  discontinued  since  the  beginning  of  the  year  1888,  with  the  results  that  the 
vapors  are  not  overheated,  and,  being  less  expansive,  travel  a  less  distance  before  they  are  condensed.  The  same 
addition  of  fuel  to  the  granzita  ore  had  been  discontinued  long  before. 

During  the  year  1888  an  electric  plant  was  installed  at  the  hacienda  to  drive  the  Guibal  fan  for  furnaces 
Nos.  1  and  2,  which  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek.     This  plant  proved  so  satisfactory  that  it  was  enlarged  by 
the  installment  of  a  16-horsepower  dynamo  at  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  with  motors  at  each  of  the  2  Guibal  fans,  the 
35  M 14 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


connection  being-  made  by  7,000  feet  of  wire.  The  power  is  supplied  by  a  Miiall  upright  engine  at  Bnena  Vista 
shaft,  resulting  in  a  saving  in  fuel  and  labor  and  lessening  the  danger  of  fire  at  the  furnace  yard.  Careful 
measurements  have  shown  that  0.5  horse  power  is  sufficient  to  drive  one  of  the  Guibal  fans  at  a  velocity  of  60  to 
70  revolutions  per  minute,  which  is  the  ordinary  speed  maintained  when  condenser  cleaning  is  not  being  done  and 
all  the  doors  are  closed.  During  condenser  cleaning,  with  usually  1  condenser  door  open,  the  speed  is  increased 
to  120  revolutions,  more  or  less,  depending  very  much  upon  the  state  of  the  weather. 

FURNACE  PLANT  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  IN  1890. 


Number 
of  fur- 
nace. 

Continu- 
ous. 

Inter- 
mittent. 

STYLE. 

Daily 
capacity 
in  tons. 

Class  of  ore 
roasted. 

Number 
of  sepa- 
rate brick 
condens- 
ers. 

Total 
number 
of  brick 
condens- 
ers. 

Number 
of  brick 
towers. 

Number 
of  glass 
and  wood- 
towers. 

Number 
of  water- 
back  con- 
densers. 

Number 
of  Idria 
condens- 
ers (a). 

Remarks. 

J 
2 
3 
5  . 
6 
8 
7 
9 

] 
1 
1 
1 

Huttner  <fe  Scott 

36  i 
18> 

36  i 
20) 

T80% 

24 
l*i 

10  5 

Granzita  

\      n 

i  ; 

7 
4 

\           6 

<           2 

10 
16 
20 
10 
16 
8 
9 
c5 

1 

9 
1 

21 
14 

3 

2 

i  Connect    with"    one 
j     chimney. 

Connect    with     one/ 
chimney  (b). 

do 

do 

do 

i 

Granza  

1 

Old          

0 

2 
2 
o 

1 

1 
1 

Huttner  &  Scott  

2 
1 

1 

Excli 

a  This  condenser  consists  of  iron  pipes  or  earthen  pipes  cooled  in  a  water  tank. 

b  A  connection  exists  also  by  separate  brick  flues  to  another  brick  chimney  common  only  to  furnaces  Nos.  7  and  9. 

c  The  second  brick  condenser  connects  with  the  fourth  brick  condenser  of  No.  7,  both  furnaces  mingling  their  fumes  at  this  point. 

The  continuous  eiforts  made  to  improve  the  working  of  the  soot  and  to  replace  the  manual  labor  of  stirring  it 
on  inclined  planes,  which  was  the  process  in  use  during  the  last  few  years,  finally  culminated  in  1888  in  the 
invention  by  Superintendent  Von  Leicht  of  a  soot  machine  by  which  the  soot  is  cleaned  by  steam  power. 

The  apparatus  consists  of  a  cast-iron  pot  of  nearly  hemispherical  shape,  3  feet  5  inches  in  diameter  and  18 
inches  in  depth.  A  perpendicular  shaft  passes  down  through  the  center  of  this  vessel,  the  lower  end  of  which  is 
provided  with  4  screw  blades  that  fit  exactly  the  inner  surface  of  the  vessel  and  are  made  only  12  inches  high, 
the  upper  edge  of  each  blade  being  horizontal.  The  shaft  to  which  the  blades  are  attached  passes  through  a 
circular  opening  in  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  just  large  enough  for  revolving  easily  in  it,  with  a  play  of  about 
one-sixteenth  of  an  inch.  The  vessel  being  filled  with  the  soot  to  be  cleaned  (each  charge  contains  3  cubic  feet), 
the  shaft  is  made  to  revolve  by  proper  overhead  gearing  between  30  to  50  revolutions  pec  minute.  In  these 
revolutions  the  soot  is  scraped  up  by  the  blades  and  drops  over  the  upper  edge  onto  the  next  blade,  and  so  on, 
keeping  constantly  in  motion,  and  thus  bringing  the  small  globules  of  quicksilver  in  contact  with  each  other,  uniting; 
them,  when  they  flow  to  the  center  of  the  vessel  and  pass  out  through  the  hole  in  wrhich  the  shaft  revolves. 

Below  the  soot  vessel  a  short  inclined  floor  is  laid,  over  which  the  cleaned  quicksilver  runs  down  and  passes, 
through  a  gooseneck  into  a  receiver.  The  soot  vessel  has  the  central  part  of  its  bottom,  about  12  inches  in 
diameter,  on  hinges.  When  the  soot  has  been  so  far  cleaned  that  only  a  small  amount  of  mercury  remains,  the 
shaft  is  raised,  the  hinged  bottom  is  opened,  and  the  soot  dropped  on  the  inclined  floor,  from  which  it  is  easily 
taken  up  by  shovels  and  placed  in  buckets  to  be  brought  back  to  the  furnace  from  which  it  originally  came.  A 
portion  of  it  is  added  to  every  charge  of  ore,  in  order  to  be  burned  again. 

This  soot  machine  requires  about  3  horse  power,  with  a  speed  of  from  30  to  50  revolutions.  A  charge  of  soot 
remains  about  1.5  hours.  The  room  in  which  this  machine  is  set  up  is  well  ventilated,  and  the  man  who  attends  to  all 
of  the  work  connected  with  it,  that  is,  keeping  up  steam,  charging  and  discharging  the  soot,  flasking  the  quicksilver,, 
etc.,  is  not  exposed  to  any  noxious  vapors.  From  June  1,  1888,  to  September  30,  1889,  there  were  produced  in  the 
cleaning  of  the  various  condensers  8,191  buckets  of  soot,  to  which  were  added  1,226  buckets  of  ashes,  making  a 
total  of  9,417  buckets,  or  about  4,708.5  cubic  feet  of  soot  and  ashes  worked  by  the  soot  machine,  from  which 
were  obtained  175,909  pounds  of  quicksilver,  or  2,300  flasks  and  19  pounds.  The  total  production  of  quicksilver  at 
the  reduction  works  during  these  16  months  was  18,346  flasks,  from  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the  percentage  of 
quicksilver  cleaned  by  the  soot  machine  was  12.54  of  the  total  amount  of  quicksilver  produced.  The  total  expenses 
of  condenser  cleaning  and  working  of  the  soot  machines  during  these  16  months  was  $1,764.15,  which  gives  1  cent 
as  the  average  cost  per  pound  of  quicksilver  obtained  from  soot.  In  this  estimate  the  cost  of  fuel  for  steam  is  not 
included. 

Other  improvements  made  include  the  setting  up  of  a  machine  for  threading  flasks  and  stoppers  at  the  hacienda 
machine  shop  in  1886,  by  which,  if  necessary,  100  flasks  per  day  can  be  handled,  and  old  flasks  are  made  serviceable. 
In  1887  the  inclined  flue  from  furnaces  Nos.  1  and  2  was  extended  270  feet  farther  up  the  slope  of  the  adjoining  hill, 
which  added  much  to  the  general  comfort  by  carrying  the  smoke  to  a  higher  altitude.  In  1888  a  new  water  tank  of 
3,750  cubic  feet  capacity  was  erected  a  tan  elevation  sufficient  to  provide  all  the  balance  hoists  with  the  necessary 
water,  and  in  1889  a  pump  was  set  up  at  the  water  wheel,  by  which  it  is  worked,  pumping  water  at  night,  thereby 


QUICKSILVER.  211 

economizing  expense  for  pumping.     In  1888  experiments  were  made  with  fuel  oil  as  combustible  for  the  furnaces, 
but  the  results  were  unsatisfactory. 

The  accompanying  drawing  shows  in  detail  the  plan  of  the  present  plant  at  the  New  Almaden  reduction  works. 

TRANSPORTATION   FACILITIES. 

A  county  road  leads  from  the  hacienda  to  San  Jose,  a  distance  of  12  miles.  The  Southern  Pacific  Company 
has  L'  railroad  branches  terminating  Avithin  2  miles  of  the  haHenda.  The  Almaden  line  of  the  South  Pacific 
Coast  Railway  division  (narrow  gauge)  branches  off  at  Campbell  station,  5  miles  out  of  San  Jose.  The  Almaden 
line  of  the  coast  division  (broad  gauge)  branches  off  at  Hillsdale,  also  5  miles  out  of  San  Jose.  From  Hillsdale 
to  Almaden  station  the  distance  is  8  miles,  and  from  Campbell  10  miles.  The  public  wagon  road  does  not  extend 
beyond  the  hacienda.  From  the  hacienda  to  the  mines  on  the  hill  leads  a  wagon  road  built  with  a  grade  of  9  feet 
to  KM)  for  a  distance  of  2  miles  to  the  hill  office,  and  thence  0.5  mile  more  to  Spanishtown.  Branches  from  this 
road  lead  to  all  shafts,  the  planilla,  and  the  ore  bins.  The  whole  length  of  main  road  and  branches  combined  is 
10.8  miles.  Another  wagon  road  leads  to  the  company's  woodlands,  a  distance  of  5  miles. 

WATER   SUPPLY. 

The  water  supply  on  the  hill  is  derived  from  3  sources,  springs  which  furnish  between  30  and  55  gallons 
per  minute,  or  from  40,000  to  80,000  gallons  per  24  hours,  according  to  season.  The  main  supply  comes  from  the 
so-called  Black  Hills,  a  part  of  the  coast  range  of  mountains,  south  of  the  mines,  about  2.5  miles  distant.  The 
water  is  carried  in  pipes  and  distributed  in  water  tanks,  from  which  the  branch  pipes  lead  to  the  shaft  houses 
and  dwellings.  The  amount  of  water  stored  in  the  tanks  on  the  hill  is  157,400  gallons.  There  are  8  tanks  of  15,000 
gallons  capacity  each,  2  of  10,500  gallons,  2  of  2,700  gallons,  and  5  of  2,200  gallons.  The  main  Black  Hills  pipe 
and  branch  pipe  lines  are  composed  of  2.5-inch  pipe,  4,750  feet;  2-inch  pipe,  4,500  feet;  1.5-inch  pipe,  4,050  feet,  or  a 
total  of  13,300  feet,  and  brandies  of  2,  1.5,  1,  and  0.5  inch  pipe,  together,  14,800  feet.  The  total  length  of  pipes  is 
28,100  feet,  or  5.32  miles. 

As  protection  against  fire  there  are  12  hydrants,  each  provided  with  50  feet  of  hose,  distributed  at  the  different 
shaft  houses  and  in  front  of  the  office  and  store. 

The  water-  supply  to  the  hacienda  and  furnace  yard  comes  from  3  springs  and  from  Alamitos  creek.  A  dam 
across  Alamitos  creek  diverts  the  water  into  a  wooden  flume  14  inches  wide  and  12  inches  high  and  is  carried  through 
the  flume  a  distance  of  2,500  feet  to  a  pressure  box  at  the  south  end  of  the  furnace  yard.  From  this  pressure  box  a 
sheet-iron  pipe,  14  inches  in  diameter  and  845  feet  long,  brings  the  water  to  the  penstock  of  the  overshot  water  wheel, 
which  drives  the  machinery  of  the  machine  shop,  the  blower  for  the  blacksmith  shop,  a  28-inch  circular  saw  for  sawing 
wood,  a  lathe,  and  a  16-inch  circular  saw  in  the  carpenter  shop.  When  not  used  for  this  purpose  it  provides  power 
for  a  pressure  pump,  which  delivers  water  by  a  4-iuch  and  6-inch  pipe,  650  feet  long,  into  the  large  water  tank  as  supply 
for  the  balance  hoists.  The  water  wheel  has  a  diameter  of  20  feet,  is  6  feet  wide,  and  gives,  according  to  the  amount 
of  Avater  available,  from  3  to  5  horsepower.  Surplus  Avater  from  the  penstock  of  the  water  wheel  passes  through 
300  feet  of  6-inch  pipe  into  a  6  by  12  inch  wooden  flume  2,813  feet  long,  that  runs  along  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  the 
west  side  of  the  hacienda  village  and  distributes  Avater  for  domestic  purposes.  The  Avater  escaping  from  the  wheel 
runs  into  a  ditch,  which  carries  it  along  the  road  through  the  village  and  is  used  for  irrigating  purposes.  The  total 
length  of  pipe  lines  is  over  8,000  feet,  consisting  of  6,  4,  3,  2,  1.5,  1.25,  and  1  inch  pipe. 

There  are  5  large  storage  tanks;  2  of  these,  with  an  aggregate  capacity  of  6,900  cubic  feet,  are  located  300 
feet  aboATe  the  floor  of  the  furnace  yard.  These  tanks  are  supplied  with  water  by  a  spring  in  Deep  gulch,  carried 
by  a  V  flume  1,400  feet  in  length.  The  water  is  used  for  fire  plugs,  of  which  there  are  11  2-inch  hydrants  and  10 
1.5-inch  hydrants  distributed  throughout  the  furnace  yard.  A  tank  of  4,530  cubic  feet  capacity  is  located  on  the  hill 
slope  Avest  of  the  furnaces,  80  feet  above  the  furnace  floor  of  Nos.  7  and  9,  supplied  from  the  overflow  of  the  higher 
tanks  just  mentioned. 

SURVEYING. 


It  is  estimated  that  up  to  the  present  time  the  total  distance  driven  in  the  New  Almaden  quicksilver 
in  the  form  of  tunnels,  drifts,  shafts,  crosscuts,  inclines,  and  winzes,  is  over  46  miles.  From  ore  stopes  over  1,500,000 
tons  of  materiafTiave  been  extracted.  The  bulk  of  this  network  of  excavations  is  included  in  an  area  6,000  feet 
square,  and  has  a  vertical  extent  from  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill  to  the  lowest  level  of  nearly  2,300  feet. 


MINING. 


The  place  of  the  first  prospect  work  was  on  the  southeast  slope  and  160  feet  below  the  top  of  Mine  Hill,  which 
is  the  highest  summit  of  the  ridge  on  Avhich  the  mines  are  located.  The  work  of  exploration  consisted  of  a  tunnel 
driven  into  the  hill  that  intersected  some  of  the  small  veins  of  cinnabar.  The  work  progressed  slowly  under  the 
supervision  of  Castillero  and  Padre  Real,  one  of  his  partners  in  the  property,  with  a  few  Indians  to  do  the  work. 
In  December,  1846,  the  property  AA^as  transferred  under  certain  conditions  to  the  firm  of  Barron,  Forbes  &  Co.,  of 


212  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Mexico,  ruder  the  new  management  the  mine  was  brought  into  better  shape,  and  it  may  be  said  that  from  that 
\  date  the  mining  operations  at  New  Almaden  began.  The  early  miners  were  Mexicans,  and  the  first  underground 
work  plainly  shows  their  style  of  working.  The  ore  was  mined  without  any  regular  system,  being  in  a  great 
measure  taken  out  by  tunnels  driven  into  the  hillside,  with  small  upraises  or  downward  inclines  that  followed  the 
indications  of  cinnabar,  or  by  shallow  shafts  that  were  simply  circular  holes  in  the  ground,  provided  with  notched 
timbers  for  climbing  up  or  down  to  bring  the  broken  ore  to  the  surface  in  rawhide  baskets,  called  "  serenes'',  that 

'_i   '    '™~' »m  '  i        — rfp £-  ^ I_L   ._    _       _        

were  carried  by  the  miners  on  their  backs,  as  it  is  seen  to-day  in  many  of  the  Mexican  mines,  the  load  being 
sometimes  as  much  as  250  pounds.  ^TJiis  style  of  mining  was  sufficient  for  the  time,  as  the  ore  bodies  were  found 
near  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  were  of  considerable  extent.  Neither  horses  nor  mules  were  employed  in  hoisting, 
nor  were  there  any  tramways  or  cars.  At  the  surface  the  ore  was  cleaned  from  waste  rock  and  then  carried  by  mules 
in  sacks  down  to  the  reduction  works,  located  on  the  creek  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  about  1,1*00  feet  below  the 
mine. 

In  1851  a  large  adit  was  begun  to  facilitate  the  extraction.  This  tunnel,  called  the  "main  tunnel",  pierces 
the  hill  320  T£et  below  the  summit.  It  started  on  a  course  north  45°  west  (magnetic)  from  the  soutk  side  of 
Mine  Hill(«-).  The  tunnel  for  a  double  track  of  cars  was  made  10  feet  wide  and  10  feet  high,  with  arched  roof, 
supported  by  timbers  of  redwood  6  inches  square  in  cross  section.  The  timber  sets  were  2  feet  apart  and  covered 
with  lagging.  The  length  of  this  main  tunnel  was  807  feet.  In  front  of  this  tunnel  a  large  level  place  was 
constructed  with  the  debris  from  the  mine  for  a  planilla  or  cleaning  floor,  on  which  the  ores  were  cleaned  from  waste 
rock  and  sorted.  The  ground  above  this  tunnel  proved  to  be  very  rich  in  mineral,  the  ore  ground  reaching  to  the 
very  summit  of  the  hill.  In  it  were  situated  many  valuable  deposits,  known  as  the  "labores"  (b)  of  San  Rosalio,  San 
Pablo,  San  Antonio,  San  Ricardo,  and  San  Pedro,  somewhat  irregular  in  their  course,  but  all  dipping  toward  the 
north  and  west.  These  labores  proved  very  valuable  and  yielded  large  quantities  of  high-grade  ores.  This  upper 
ore  ground  had  an  extension  of  230  feet  wide  by  400  feet  long,  dipping  in  several  ore  bodies  from  the  surface  to  the 
300  level. 

Following  the  indications  in  depth,  a  shaft  was  sunk  at  the  distance  of  769  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the  main 
tunnel,  called  the  "main  shaft",  and  provided  with  2  compartments,  1  for  hoisting  and  1  for  ladder  way.  A  whim 
round  of  38  feet  in  diameter,  worked  by  mules,  supplied  the  power  for  hoisting  during  the  first  years,  and  was 
afterward  replaced  by  a  steam  engine  supplied  with  steam  by  a  boiler  set  up  at  the  mouth  of.  the  tunnel.  The 
bottom  of  the  shaft  finally  reached  the  600  level  at  a  depth  of  573.76  feet  below  datum  point,  or  242.25  feet  below  the 
floor  of  the  main  tunnel. 

In  November,  1857,  another  adit,  then  called  New  tunnel,  and  at  present  known  as  Day  tunnel,  was  begun  from 
the  northeasterly  slope  of  Mine  Hill,  at  a  point  459  feet  below  the  mouth  of  the  main  tunnel,  for  the  purpose  of 
draining  the  ground  in  the  600  level,  which  the  main  shaft  had  reached,  and  also  to  provide  a  tramway  for  all  the 
ore  coming  from  this  part  of  the  mine.  Its  progTess  was  stopped  by  the  injunction  issued  by  the  United  States 
court,  after  reaching  the  distance  of  508  feet.  The  injunction  having  been  raised  in  1861,  the  work  on  the  tunnel 
was  again  resumed,  and  continued  with  various  short  interruptions  until  it  had  reached  a  total  length  of  1,887  feet, 
at  which  point  it  connected  with  an  interior  shaft,  called  the  Junction  shaft,  sunk  from  the  upper  works  on  the  600 
level  (571  feet  below  datum).  This  shaft  was  started  in  April,  1862,  from  the  northern  end  of  the  ore  ground  on 
the  600  level  and  reached  the  Day  tunnel  level  on  August  1,  1864. 

The  main  shaft  had  opened  up  the  10-fathom  level  (377  feet)  (c),  the  27-fathom  level  (480  feet),  Bestor  level 
(507  feet),  and  Santa  Rosa  or  600-foot  level  (573  feet).  Thus  far  the  mine  had  been  opened  when  the  Quicksilver 
Mining  Company  became  the  owners  of  these  lands  and  mines  and  assumed  the  entire  control  of  the  works,  on 
November  1,  1863. 

The  deposits  of  ore  had  been  explored  down  to  the  600-foot  or  Santa  Rosa  level,  and  great  ore  chambers 
developed,  of  which  the  most  prominent  were  the  San  Ricardo  (194  feet);  San  Antonio  (214  feet);  San  Ygnazio  and 
San  Cleniente;  La  Cruz,  on  the  main  tunnel  level;  Dios  te  Giiia  (400  feet);  Far  West  (400  feet);  Ardilla  (400  to  500 
feet);  Ventura  (530  feet);  Buenos  Ayres  (560  feet);  Marysville  (535  feet),  and  North  Ardilla  (from  550  to  600  feet). 
These  ore  chambers  formed  irregular  excavations,  often  overlying  each  other  in  the  vein,  which  varied  in  width 
and  inclosed  deposits  of  ore  from  10  to  30  feet  in  thickness,  the  cinnabar  showing  an  intricate  network  of  veins 
within  the  great  mass  of  gangue.  The  cinnabar  veins,  called  "hilos",  when  small,  often  assumed  a  persistent 
regularity  in  a  north  and  south  direction,  the  walls  of  the  gangue,  or  vein  matter,  generally  being  soft  or  of  indurated 
clay  schist  or  serpentine.  The  upper  portions  of  the  mine  above  the  main  tunnel  level  were  nearly  exhausted; 
some  of  the  labores  had  fallen  in,  were  dangerous  to  work,  and  had  to  be  abandoned.  The  Quicksilver  Mining 
Company  also  took  possession  of  all  the  outside  mines  that  extend  through  their  property  from  Mine  Hill 
northwesterly,  a  distance  of  3.75  miles,  on  a  ridge  which  runs  in  that  direction. 

Beginning  at  the  northwest  boundary  of  the  company's  lauds  and  progressing  southeasterly  to  Mine  Hill  were 

a  The  summit  of  Mint-  Hill  is  the  datum  point  for  all  elevations  underground  or  on  the  surface,  the  point  being  marked  by  a  monument  set  in  the  ground  and 
covered  by  an  iron  cross.  The  main  shaft  is  almost  directly  below  this  monument. 

b  "Labor",  plural  "labores".  is  the  Spanish  name  for  "ore  stope"  or  "ore  stopes". 
c  Figures  in  parentheses  are  elevations  below  datum  point. 


J  Q,         *     .-.'f 


QUICKSILVER  213 

the  following  mines  or  prospects:  (1)  the  Senador,  (2)  the  Purissinia,  (3)  the  San  Antonio,  (4)  the  Enriquita, 
(5)  the  Providencia,  ((>)  the  America,  (7)  the  San  Pedro  and  Santa  Mariana,  (S)  the  San  Francisco,  this  last  one 
being  on  the  south  slope  of  Mine  Hill,  but  disconnected  from  the  workings  of  the  main  tunnel.  There  were  also  a 
great  number  of  tunnels  and  prospect  shafts  scattered  wherever  indications  of  ore  had  been  found. 

The  general  outlook  was  not  very  encouraging.  The  total  length  of  all  the  drifts,  tunnels,  shafts,  and  winzes 
opened  in  the  outside  mines  amounted  to  L'9,919  feet,  not  including  any  of  the  workings  in  the  Almaden  mine 
proper,  opened  from  the  main  tunnel  and  Day  tunnel.  The  great  ore  bodies  had  already  been  systematically  worked 
during  14  years.  The  great  Ardilla  labor,  one  of  the  largest  and  richest  ore  deposits,  had  been  worked  out  to  the 
northwest,  and  the  mine,  having  produced  so  largely  for  many  years,  was  now  confined  to  a  small  extent  of  ground. 
Other  ore  bodies  were  still  unknown,  and  the  prospects  for  the  future  were  doubtful. 

All  excavations  in  the  mine  worked  as  mineral  ground,  including  ground  strictly  productive  of  cinnabar,  but 
not  including  all  the  mouths  of  tunnels  and  adits,  were  contained  in  a  parallelogram  of  450  by  600  feet. 

THE  DAY  TUNNEL  had  intersected  a  large  area  of  barren  ground,  and  was  connected  with  the  upper  workings 
in  1871,  when  it  gave  facilities  for  ventilation,  transportation,  and  drainage  that  were  much  needed.  The  principal 
vein  that  had  been  followed  northward  dipped  northward,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  continuity  of  the  ore  would 
be  found  in  that  direction.  A  small  branch  of  ore  observed  in  the  beginning  of  1865  extended  northward  from  the 
Great  Ardilla  labor,  and  widened  out  and  improved  gradually  until  20  men  were  here  employed  in  breaking  ore.  When 
this  ore  body  finally  gave  out,  in  August  of  the  same  year,  another  ore  deposit  was  discovered  on  the  600-foot  level. 
This  ore  deposit,  called  Santa  Rita  labor,  opened  out  into  one  of  the  most  valuable  deposits  ever  known  in  the  mines. 
The  ore  was  of  the  richest  quality,  and  up  to  the  end  of  1867  yielded  alone  5,149  tons  of  ore.  The  labor  extended 
from  the  north  Ardilla,  on  the  600-foot  level,  in  a  northerly  direction  and  almost  horizontally,  a  distance  of  375  feet. 
Here  it  divided  into  2  branches,  one  called  the  Santa  Eita  East  the  other  the  Santa  Rita  West.  The  Santa  Rita 
East  extended  a  further  distance  of  about  200  feet,  the  Santa  Rita  West  more  than  300  feet.  The  width  of  this 
large  ore  deposit  varied  between  30  and  100  feet,  with  a  height  or'thickness  of  ore  ground  from  20  to  40  feet.  The 
Santa  Rita  proper,  discovered  in  1865,  became  exhausted  in  1871,  having  yielded  a  total  of  11,6x6  tons  of  rich  ore. 
The  Santa  Rita  West  was  discovered  in  1868  and  exhausted  in  1870.  It  yielded  a  total  of  5,937  tons  of  ore. 
Altogether  the  labores  named  Santa  Rita  produced  a  total  of  25,294  tons  of  ore,  that  averaged  not  less  than  10  per 
cent  quicksilver. 

While  these  discoveries  took  place  in  the  Santa  Rita  ground  the  other  parts  of  the  mine  were  still  worked  and 
produced  some  ore,  and  the  more  prominent  labores  were  some  above  the  300  level,  and  below  this  level  the  Pruyn, 
La  Cruz,  Dios  te  Guia,  10-fathom  and  27-fathom  levels,  the  Collegio,  Buenos  Ayres,  Sacramento,  Far  West,  Santa 
Rosa,  the  Velasco  workings,  and  some  of  the  outside  mines,  all  adding  their  quota  to  the  general  ore  production. 
As  the  works  progressed  still  farther  north  and  extended  east  and  west,  the  ore  bodies  grew  smaller  and  more 
scattering,  spread  out  and  dipped  more  steeply  north  and  west.  A  notable  exception  in  this  general  downward 
dip' was  the  connection  with  the  ore  body  known  as  the  Velasc'o  group  that  rose  upward  and  was  opened  by  the 
Velasco  tunnel  in  1864  (400  level),  and  another  tunnel  called  Road  tunnel.  Both  tunnels  furnished  small  deposits 
of  high-grade  ores,  which  reached  to  the  500  level,  and  descended  from  what  was  known  as  the  Theater  labor,  worked 
in  1872,  steeply  to  the  600  level.  Here  the  ore  disappeared  and  only  barren  vein  matter  remained. 

The  northwestern  explorations  opened  up  the  labores  known  as  the  Giant  Powder  (620  feet),  the  Ponce  (624 
feet),  the  uSTew  Santa  Rita  West  ((540  to  700  feet),  discovered  in  1871,  the  Santa  Ana,  Ossuna  and  Victoria  (637  to 
776  feet).  These  ore  bodies  apparently  formed  the  northern  boundary  of  the  pay  chute.  The  vein,  here  smaller 
in  size,  took  a  sudden  steep  plunge  down  to  the  900-foot  level  with  only  small  detached  ore  deposits,  and  in  1873  the 
mine  gave  little  promise  of  continuance. 

As  the  bodies  of  ore  discovered  during  the  past  years  had  continued  in  their  northward  course  with  a  dip  north 
and  west,  the  only  remedy  remained  to  search  for  the  new  ore  bodies  in  that  direction  and  at  a  greater  depth,  the 
Day  tunnel  being  too  high  for  these  explorations. 

On  June  10,  1871,  ground  was  broken  for  a  new  working  shaft.  This  shaft,  called  the  Randol  shaft,  named  after 
the  manager  of  the  property,  was  located  on  a  spur  of  Mine  Hill  at  an  elevation  of  426  feet  below  datum  point,  359.5 
feet  above  the  mouth  of  Day  tunnel,  and  about  440  feet  north  of  the  rich  workings  in  the  Xew  Santa  Rita  West. 
The  Randol  shaft  reached  the  vein  1,151  feet  below  datum,  on  the  twelfth  level.  The  explorations  from  this  shaft 
were  of  the  greatest  importance  for  the  future  of  the  mine^asjhey  disclosed  two  prominent  ore,  c,hjmue,ys7  one  lying 
east,  the  other  west,  of  the  shaft.  In  the  western  ground  they  continued  almost  without  interruption  from  the  Great 
Saata  I'ira  labor  (TOO  level)  down  to  the  2,200-foot  level  of  the  mine,  while  in  the  eastern  ground  the  ore  deposits 
be"- i  at  the  900  level  and  extended  to  the  1,900  level. 

hese  ore  bodies  have  had  a  width  of  100  to  300  feet,  and  a  thickness  from  12  to  20  feet  and  more,  and  have  up 
to  the  present  time  yielded  the  regular  supply  of  ore.  With  this  same  object  in  view,  other  shafts  were  sunk  from 
time  to  time  and  connected  by  underground  workings  with  the  general  system  from  the  Randol  shaft,  viz:  the  Santa 
Isabel  shaft,  started  in  1877,  reaching  down  to  the  2,300-foot  level;  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  started  in  1882.  also 
reaching  to  the  2.300-foot  level,  and  the  Saint  George  shaft,  in  1887,  reaching  to  the  1,200-foot  level.  South  of  Mine 


214  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Hill  the  Washington  shaft,  begun  in  1881,  reached  down  to  the  1,100-foot  level.  The  Santa  Rita  shaft  was  opened 
ill  1884  as  a  prospect  shaft  from  the  ground  above  the  Santa  Rita  labor,  and  sunk  to  the  900-foot  level,  piercing 
through  the  old  Santa  Rita  labor. 

HACIENDA  TUNNEL. — The  mouth  of  this  tunnel  is  1,800  feet  south  15°  west  (magnetic)  from  the  hacienda  office 
in  the  ravine  of  Alamitos  creek,  which  flows  through  the  furnace  yard  of  the  hacienda.  Its  mouth  is  1,202  feet 
below  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill.  The  course  is  north  70°  25'  west  from  its  mouth  for  a  distance  of  1,848  feet,  when  it 
takes  a  more  northerly  deviation  for  492  feet,  then  returning  again  to  an  almost  westerly  course  for  490  feet ;  total 
length,  2,836  feet.  The  tunnel  was  started  in  January,  1867.  Its  object  was  to  serve  as  a  drain  tunnel  for  the  mine 
and  for  transportation.  After  having  advanced  a  distance  of  486  feet  work  was  stopped.  The  developments  in  the 
Cora  Blanca  mine,  made  in  1874,  with  a  rich  ore  body  in  sight,  and  apparently  crossing  the  hacienda  tunnel  line, 
have  new  encouragement,  and  the  tunnel  was  continued  again  in  December,  1874,  this  time  with  machine  drills,  to 
insure  its  speedy  completion  into  the  ore  ground  of  the  Cora  Blanca  mine.  In  October,  1876,  it  had  reached  a  distance 
of  2,135  feet  without  intersecting  any  vein.  Work  was  then  temporarily  stopped,  while  the  Gray  shaft  was  sunk  to 
the  1,000-foot  level.  The  tunnel  work  was  again  taken  up  in  January,  1878,  and,  having  reached  a  total  distance  of 
2,340  feet  from  the  mouth,  the  direction  of  the  tunnel  line  was  changed  to  a  course  of  almost  due  west  (magnetic)  to 
intercept  the  productive  vein  of  the  Cora  Blanca  mine,  which  indicated  a  pitch  in  that  direction,  and  a  large  vein, 
30  feet  wide,  was  intersected,  on  which  branch  drifts  were  run  north  and  south  for  130  feet.  The  indications, 
however,  were  so  unfavorable  that  all  further  progress  was  stopped  in  August,  1879. 

THE  COEA  BLANCA  MINE. — This  mine  is  situated  on  the  east  slope  of  Mine  Hill  in  a  direction  a  little  south  of 
east  of  its  summit  and  from  it  about  1,300  feet  distant.  Its  vein  is  entirely  disconnected  from  the  vein  system  of 
the  main  mine,  running  on  a  true  north  and  south  course  and  dipping  east.  The  ore  deposits  were  discovered  in 
1864,  and  produced  1,800  eargas  (a)  of  high-grade  ore  during  the  first  3  months.  The  openings  then  consisted 
simply  of  surface  works,  opened  by  tunnels.  The  ore  was  found  in  bunches  in  a  vein  close  to  the  surface.  These 
upper  works  were  soon  exhausted.  In  1873  a  shaft  was  sunk,  called  the  Cora  Blanca  shaft,  collar  574  feet  below 
datum,  which  struck  ore  at  a  depth  of  53  feet.  Steam  hoisting  works  and  a  pump  were  erected.  A  tunnel  that  had 
been  started  in  the  ravine,  1,000  feet  east  from  the  shaft,  called  the  Deep  Gulch  tunnel,  connected  with  the  Cora 
Blanca  shaft  in  1874,  its  elevation  being  770  feet  below  datum  (summit  of  Mine  Hill).  In  1875  the  Cora  Blanca  mine 
produced  6,262  cargas  of  rich  ore.  The  yield  lessened  in  1876,  the  vein  becoming  much  harder  below  the  level  of  the 
Deep  Gulch  tunnel  (800  level).  Another  shaft,  called  Gray  shaft,  was  sunk  in  1876,  about  660  feet  east  of  the  Cora 
Blanca  shaft,  and  alongside  of  the  Deep  Gulch  tunnel,  350  feet  from  its  mouth,  to  prospect  the  vein  at  greater  depth. 
The  steam  hoist  and  pump  were  transferred  from  the  Cora  Blanca  shaft,  and  the  shaft  was  continued  down  to  the 
1,100-foot  level.  As  all  efforts  to  find  ore  below  the  800  level  proved  futile,  the  mine  was  abandoned  in  1879.  The 
Cora  Blanca  shaft  has  connection  with  the  600,  700,  800,  and  900  levels ;  the  Gray  shaft  has  stations  at  the  Deep 
Gulch  tunnel  level  (764  feet),  the  900,  1,000,  and  1,100  levels  (846,  944,  and  1,045  feet  below  datum). 

THE  SAN  FRANCISCO  MINE  was  opened  in  1864.  It  is  situated  on  the  south  slope  of  Mine  Hill,  about  650  feet 
southwest  from  main  shaft.  The  vein  has  a  northwest  and  southeast  course,  and  had  originally  been  opened  by 
2  adits,  the  upper  San  Francisco  and  the  lower  San  Francisco  tunnels.  As  the  work  progressed  downward  the 
vein  improved  in  character,  but  the  yield  was  irregular.  The  workings  were  connected  with  the  main  tunnel  by 
the  San  Francisco  branch  tunnel  in  1869.  The  ore  production  of  the  San  Francisco  mine  in  1866  amounted  to  7,238 
cargas,  reached  13,686  cargas  in  1867,  and  diminished  to  8,661  cargas  in  1868.  In  1868  a  shaft,  called  the  San 
Francisco  shaft,  was  sunk  from  the  300  level,  and  in  1869  connected  with  the  Santa  Rosa  or  600  level,  (ft)  It  was 
provided  with  a  steam  hoisting  engine,  set  up  at  the  shaft  on  the  300  level.  The  labores  on  the  300  level  and 
above  the  Manilla  and  Arcial  on  the  400  level  and  the  Warren  on  the  500  level  were  the  most  prominent,  the 
last  producing  nearly  4,000  cargas  in  1871.  In  June,  1874,  the  New  World  labor  was  discovered  from  the  600  level. 
This  labor  extended  220  feet  in  length,  more  than  80  feet  in  width,  with  a  height  from  10  to  20  feet,  and  produced 
high-grade  ore.  From  the  surface  down  to  the  500  level  the  vein  maintained  an  almost  perpendicular  position. 
The  vein  of  the  San  Francisco  mine  has  an  average  width  of  from  50  to  60  feet.  It  has  been  prospected  over  a 
length  of  900  feet,  and  was  found  productive  over  a  length  of  500  feet.  In  the  oSTew  World  labor  the  vein  took  a 
pitch  of  about  45°  southwesterly  and  finally  connected  with  the  800  level,  the  Santa  Clara,  which  is  a  continuation 
of  the  Day  tunnel.  This  continuance  of  the  ore  body  led  to  the  establishment  of  Washington  shaft,  first  called 
Garfield  shaft,  which  was  begun  in  November,  1881,  at  a  point  470  feet  southwesterly  from  the  San  Francisco  shaft. 
The  Washington  shaft  starts  from  the  surface,  its  collar  being  176  feet  below  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill.  In  June, 
1882,  416.5  feet  of  the  3-cornpartment  shaft  had  been  sunk  and  met  with  the  upraise,  142.5  feet  high,  from  the  Santa 
Clara  drift,  a  total  of  559  feet,  then  continued  down  to  the  1,100  level,  which  it  reached  in  January,  1885.  The  800, 
900,  1,000,  and  1,100  stations  completed,  vigorous  prospecting  was  earned  on.  However,  the  ore  bodies  found  were 
limited  in  extent  and  reached  only  to  the  850  level.  Below  this  the  vein  became  flatter  and  spread  out  in  every 


a  A  carga  is  a  Mexican  load  of  300  pounds. 

b  The  San  Fraiicisco  shaft  has  stations  at  the  300,  400,  500,  and  600  levels,  at  320,  370,  465,  and  560  feet,  respectively,  below  datum. 


.QUICKSILVER.  215 

direction,  while  the  ore  showed  only  in  small  branches.  The  regular  prospect  work  from  the  shaft  was  discontinued 
in  the  winter  of  1887. 

THE  SAN  PEDRO  AND  SANTA  MARIANA  MINES  have  been  only  superficially  developed.  Shallow  shafts  or  inclines 
and  prospect  drifts  of  short  distances  were  driven  in  a  very  irregular  way  by  prospectors  in  following  the  ore 
indications, 'and  as  they  were  not  very  encouraging  little  attention  was  paid,  to  systematic  development.  The  2 
prospects  formed  simply  an  adjunct  to  the  larger  mines.  In  November,  1864,  altogether  1,608  feet  of  tunnels  and 
shafts  had  been  drifted  in  the  San  Pedro  and  1,547  feet  in  the  Santa  Mariana  ground.  The  vein  has  apparently 
a  connection  with  the  San  Francisco  vein.  The  ore  production  in  San  Pedro  and  Santa  Mariana  virtually  stopped 
in  1868,  although  small  amounts  of  ore  were  broken  by  tributers  from  time  to  time  in  later  years. 

THE  AMERICA  MINE,  previous  to  1864  called  '•  Bull  Kim",  was  opened  in  September,  1863.  The  mine  is 
situated  1,500  feet  northwesterly  from  the  San  Pedro  workings.  The  surface  of  the  ground  shows  much  broken 
vein  matter.  A  tunnel  called  Upper  America,  driven  175  feet  in  length  to  drain  the  upper  workings,  which  had 
started  with  a  small  shaft,  was  completed  in  July,  1865.  Its  mouth  is  on  the  south  slope  of  the  hill,  about  100 
feet  perpendicular  below  the  shaft  before  mentioned.  The  ore  veins  in  descending  become  narrow  and  almost 
perpendicular.  Another  tunnel  was  started  120  feet  lower,  called  the  Lower  America  tunnel,  and  driven  a  distance 
of  750  feet,  as  the  ore  bodies  pitched  a  little  to  the  north.  A  shaft  216  feet  deep  was  then  sunk  from  the  surface. 
Considerable  water  was  found,  and  gave  much  trouble.  As  the  expense  of  erecting  pumping  works  was  not  likely 
to  be  compensated  by  the  ore  in  sight,  further  work  was  stopped,  the  engine  was  removed,  and  a  long  tunnel,  known 
as  the  Great  Western,  was  projected  and  driven  some  distance.  The  ground  became  very  hard,  the  distance  to  be 
driven  (1,170  feet)  was  considerable,  and  as  only  150  feet  in  depth  were  gained  by  it,  the  work  was  stopped  in  1867. 
Some  metal  was  broken  from  the  old  workings  in  1868, 1869, 1873,  and  1874  by  tributers. 

In  October,  1885,  a  new  2-coinpartment  shaft  was  sunk,  with  steam  hoisting  works  and  pump,  about  200  feet 
southwest  from  the  old  shaft.  The  mouth  of  this  shaft  is  147  feet  below  datum  point.  It  reached  the  700  level  in 
March,  1887. 

Stations  were  established  at  the  500,  600,  and  700  levels,  at  411,  506,  and  601  feet  below  datum,  the  500  level 
connecting  with  the  lower  America  tunnel.  The  developments  from  these  upper  levels  were  unsatisfactory,  and  the 
700  level  was  very  wet.  The  shaft  was  sunk  200  feet  deeper  in  the  year  1888,  with  the  intention  of  connecting  it 
with  a  crosscut  from  the  1,400  level,  Santa  Isabel  shaft.  A  large  outburst  of  water  injured  the  shaft  in  July,  1888, 
and  the  unstable  character  of  the  ground,  combined  with  the  great  cost  of  sinking  400  feet  deeper,  also  the  little 

encouragement  which  the  lower  developments  had  given,  resulted  in  the  temporary  abandonment  of  this  mine. 

•» 
THE  PROVIDENCIA  MINE  is  about  4,800  feet  southwesterly  from  the  new  America  shaft.    It  consists  mainly  of 

surface  works  that  were  opened  before  1864.  Several  small  drifts  were  run  into  the  south  slope  of  the  main  ridge, 
which  is  all  vein  rock.  One,  called  the  Providencia  tunnel,  711  feet  below  datum,  reached  ore  at  the  distance  of 
120  feet.  Another,  the  Ravine  tunnel,  866  feet  below  dafum,  was  started  "in  1864,  155  feet  below  the  Providencia 
tunnel.  Its  whole  length,  straight,  is  470  feet,  with  a  branch  142  feet.  Some  prospecting  was  done  in  1867  and  1871, 
with  poor  results.  This  mine  has  remained  idle  ever  since.  It  is  stated  that  it  produced  several  thousand  cargas  of 
superior  ore. 

THE  ENRIQUITA  MINE  is  situated  2,000  feet  northwest  from  the  Provideucia  tunnel,  on  the  south  slope  of  the 
main  ridge.  The  ore  body  had  the  shape  of  a  flat  arch,  its  western  end  with  the  course  north  33°  west,  the  east 
end  south  68°  east  (magnetic),  and  a  total  length  of  550  feet,  not  continuous,  but  with  interruptions  in  length  as  well 
as  in  depth.  This  mine  was  opened  in  1859.  3  principal  tunnels  had  been  driven — the  main  tunnel,  the 
Federico  tunnel  (870  feet  below  datum),  and  the  Esperanza  tunnel,  the  first  one  being  the  lowest.  From  these 
tunnels  the  ore  bodies  were  developed  by  shafts,  winzes,  and  branch  drifts.  The  upper  works  being  nearly  exhausted, 
the  Eldredge  tunnel  was  started  in  1863,  at  the  lowest  point  obtainable  in  the  ravine  of  Capitancillos  creek  (1,180 
feet  below  datum),  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  greater  depth  in  the  mine  and  to  ventilate  and  drain  the  upper 
works,  which  had  been  troubled  by  foul  air  and  water.  In  1865  the  Eldredge  tunnel  had  reached  a  distance  of  619 
feet;  60  feet  were  added  in  1867.  The  work  was  continued  in  later  years  from  time  to  time  until,  in  1874,  the  tunnel 
had  reached  a  total  length  of  875  feet.  In  1874  work  was  again  resumed  in  the  upper  mine,  and  prospecting  was 
done  in  the  San  Andreas  ground,  where  282  feet  were  drifted.  Very  little  ore,  however,  was  found.  At  the  end  of 
March,  1875,  all  work  was  discontinued  at  the  Enriquita  mine,  as  the  low  prices  of  quicksilver  did  not  encourage 
prospecting  at  a  point  so  remote  from  the  general  works. 

THE  PURISSIMA  MINE  was  worked  to  a  small  extent  in  1860,  and  it  is  said  that  rich  ore  was  found.  In  1864 
the  whole  prospect  work  aggregated  194  feet  of  drifting  and  sinking. 

The  San  Mateo  shaft  of  this  mine,  which  lies  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  northwesterly  from  the  Enriquita 
mine,  was  sunk  in  1874  through  ore  ground  a  distance  of  87.5  feet.  The  ore,  however,  appeared  only  in  small  branches. 
Further  explorations  were  stopped  for  the  same  reasons  which  led  to  the  suspension  of  work  at  the  Enriquita. 

THE  SAN  ANTONIO  adjoins  the  Purissirna  ground  on  the  east;  development,  588  feet  of  drifting  and  sinking. 


216 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


THE  SENADOR  MINE  is  nearly  1  mile  northwest  from  tlie  San  Mateo  shaft  on  the  north  slope  of  the  ridge,  and 
within  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  western  boundary  of  the  company's  lands,  adjoining  here  the  lands  of  the 
Guadalnpe  Mining  Company.  A  small  shaft  and  tunnel  were  driven  and  sunk,  and  some  400  cargas  of  good  ore 
were  taken  out.  A  tunnel  40  yards  lower  in  elevation  was  driven  in  1873.  Xo  work  has  been  done  at  this  mine 
since  then,  when  the  total  length  of  drifts  and  shafts  amounted  to  480  feet. 

The  illustration  of  the  underground  workings  shows  the  present  condition  of  the  Xew  Almaden  mine.  The 
table  following  gives  the  co-ordinates  and  elevations  of  the  different  shafts  and  tunnels,  the  datum  point  for 
co-ordinates  being  a  point  30  feet  distant  on  the  line  and  outside  of  the  Hacienda  tunnel,  marked  by  a  monument 
post.  The  datum  point  for  the  elevations  is  a  monument  on  the  summit  of  Mine  Hill,  from  which  all  levels  on  the 
surface  as  well  as  underground  have  been  determined.  This  point  is  1,755  feet  above  sea  level. 

CO-ORDINATES,  ELEVATIONS,  ETC.,  OF  PRINCIPAL  SHAFTS  AND  TUNNELS. 

[Feet.] 


No. 

SHAFTS  AND  TUNNELS. 

CO-ORDINATES  FROM 
MONUMENT  H. 

Elevation 
of  collar  of 
shaft  below 
datum 
point  . 

Lowest 
level 
opened. 

Absolute 
depth  from 
surface. 

North. 

West, 

1 

2 

3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
A 
B 
C 
D1 
E 
P 

1,760 
3,  535 
4,105 
5,060 
3,020 
1.990 
2,480 
830 
1,130 
*],575 
1.390 
2,240 
1,245 
3,880 
25 
1,305 
4,245 
3,  240 

4,945 
5,  445 
6,595 
5,990 
6,240 
6,245 
5,015 
5,  605 

r>.  245 

3,565 
2,925 
8,195 
4,380 
4,000 
70 
2,575 
5,  555 
4,190 

317 
426 
728 
885 
570 
275 
125 
176 
78 
574 
618 
147 
326 
785 
1,202 
770 
760 
528 

700 
1,800 
2,300 
2,300 
1,200 
700 
900 
1,  100 
600 
900 
1.100 
700 
(c) 
(0 
«) 
(c) 
(fl) 
(c) 

345.0 
1,  340.  0 
1,526.0 
1,375.0 
548.5 
484.  5 
761.5 
880.0 
485.0 
275.0 
457.5 
809.5 

Randol  shaft  (b)  

canta  Isabel  shaft  (b)             ...          .   . 

Buena  Vista  shaft  (b) 

Grev  shaft  (a)                                .... 

a  Closed. 


b  Open. 


c  At  mouth. 


The  Junction  shaft  goes  from  the  600  level  (Santa  Rosa)  to  Day  tunnel,  or  800  level;  co-ordinates,  2,170  north 
and  4,810  west. 

The  shafts  of  the  outside  mines  are  not  comprised  in  this  list;  neither  are  the  tunnels,  as  they  are  of  little 
importance  now.  The  above  shafts  are  those  that  are  or  have  been  provided  with  steam  hoisting  works.  Those 
mentioned  as  opened  are  in  first-class  working  condition  at  present  date.  The  tunnels  or  adits  are  all  open,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Hacienda  tunnel. 

The  main  horizons  or  levels  are  opened  from,  these  shafts  at  distances  of  100  feet,  more  or  less,  perpendicularly, 
the  absolute  elevation  being  determined  by  local  necessities,  as  connection  with  levels  from  other  shafts  already 
opened,  or  with  adit  tunnels,  etc. 

The  aggregate  length  of  all  shafts,  winzes,  drifts,  tunnels,  and  crosscuts  was  46.35  miles  at  the  end  of  December, 
1889,  not  including  many  prospect  drifts  that  were  run  during  the  first  few  years  of  mining  at  Almaden  and 
Euriquita,  as  no  record  has  been  kept  of  these  places. 

The  usual  method  of  prospecting  for  ore  during  the  first  period  of  mining  at  Almaden,  that  is,  from  1845  to 
1870,  nearly,  consisted  in  crosscutting  the  vein  and  then  following  the  indications  of  the  small  cinnabar  veins, 
called  by  the  Mexican  miner  'hilos",  that  usually  led  to  larger  deposits.  This  method  was  followed  in  the 
upper  portions  of  the  vein,  where  the  ore  bodies  occupied  all  possible  positions,  sometimes  near  the  middle  of 
the  body  of  vein,  sometimes  near  the  hanging  wall.  Later  explorations  in  depth  demonstrated,  however,  that 
ore  bodies  almost  persistently  followed  only  the  contact  of  the  hanging  wall  (called  "alta"  by  the  Mexican 
miners)  with  the  vein.  The  explorations,  therefore,  were  always  along  the  alta  wall  of  vein,  no  matter  how  tortuous 
the  direction  might  be.  The  ore  ground  above  the  800  level  was  much  more  irregular  and  scattered  than  that 
below  this  depth.,  where  2  prominent  ore  chutes  were  developed,  which  could  be  relied  on  with  almost  positive 
assurance  within  certain  limits.  One  of  these  chimneys,  or  ore  chutes,  is  situated  on  the  northeast  side  of  the 
Randol  shaft,  the  other  on  the  southwest  side,  and  they  have  been  commonly  called  the  north  and  south  veins.  The 
north  vein  has  continued  without  interruption  from  the  000  level  to  the  1,900  level  as  ore  bearing,  but  has  been 
opened  as  far  as  the  2,300  level,  the  latter  distance  being  barren.  The  south  vein  has  continued,  without  any 
interruption  whatever,  as  an  ore-bearing  vein  from  the  top  of  Mine  Hill  down  to  the  2,200  level,  a  total  distance, 


QUICKSILVER.  217 

measured  on  its  dip  or  slope,  of  nearly  3,800  feet.  Below  the  2,200  level  this  vein  has  proved  barren.  Branch 
veins  were  found  in  the  hanging  ground  of  these  main  veins,  on  the  north  vein  as  well  as  on  the  south  vein. 
Their  extension  upward  or  downward,  however,  is  not  continuous,  and  the  ore  bodies  were  developed  by 
crosscut-tin g  from  the  main  levels.  This  second  vein  system  is  so  irregular  and  uncertain  that  no  reliance  can  be 
placed  on  its  being  met  with  by  crosscuts.  It  is  only  by  a  very  broad  and  general  comprehension  of  the  vagaries 
of  the  cinnabar  ore  bodies  that  anything  like  a  favorable  result  might  be  anticipated.  This  must  explain  the 
enormous  amount  of  underground  work  done  in  these  mines.  The  ground  explored  by  the  different  shafts,  including 
the  Washington  and  Cora  Blanca,  occupies  an  area  of  over  L  square  mile. 

The  early  developments  of  the  New  Almaden  mines  were  by  adits  and  small  shafts,  as  they  are  commonly  used 
by  the  Mexican  miners,  who  were  the  first  laborers  employed.  The  unknown  structure  of  the  vein  and  its  apparent 
irregularity  made  it  difficult  during  the  first  period  of  mining  to  decide  upon  a  system  to  be  followed  throughout. 
The  introduction  of  Knglish  miners  (Cornishmen)  brought  about  a  decided  change  in  the  methods  of  working,  and 
the  use  of  steam  hoisting  works  and  pumping  engines  obliterated  all  differences  that  might  have  existed  in  the 
deep"  mrrring  employed  at  Xe\\-  Almaden  and  elsewhere.  Some  local  customs  and  arrangements  exist,  however,  and 
to  explain  all  these  a  full  description  of  the  methods  of  mining  as  pursued  at  Xew  Almaden  will  be  given  in  the 
following  pages. 

At  the  present  day  ore  is  brought  to  the  surface  from  great  depths,  and  the  underground  work  is  entirely  done 
through  shafts.  From  these  shafts  levels  are  excavated  at  regular  intervals  of  about  100  feet.  From  these  levels  the 
prospecting  work  is  prosecuted  by  drifting,  sinking,  or  upraising,  as  circumstances  may  require,  along  the  vein,  or 
crosseutting  the  hanging  wall  or  foot  wall  in  search  of  other  veins  or  ore  bodies.  These  explorations  are  not 
confined  to  one  level  at  a  time,  but  include  several.  The  ore  bodies  when  found  are  usually  extracted  by  stoping 
out  overhead,  although  underhand  stoping  is  often  resorted  to. 

SHAFTS. — The  shafts  resemble,  each  other  in  general  features.   _They  are^yjejtical^jind^lm 

The  si/e  of  their  timbers  and  the  distance  between  sets  of  timber  vary  according  to  the  size  of  the  shaft  and  the 
nature  of  the  ground  through  which  they  have  been  sunk! 

The  Ran  do  1  is  the  principal  working  shaft,  and  has  held  this  place  during  the  past  16  years.  It  has  only 
2  compartments,  one  for  hoisting,  the  other  originally  for  pump  work,  but  at  present  only  used  for  ladder  way. 
Its  size  is  4  by  9  feet  in  the  clear,  the  hoisting  compartment  being  4  by  4  feet,  the  pumping  compartment  4.5  by 
4  feet,  and  a  0-inch  partition  between  the  2  compartments.  It  is  closely  cribbed  with  8-inch  timbers  from  top  to 
bottom.  The  collar  of  the  shaft  is  426  feet  below  datum  point.  Its  actual  depth  to  the  bottom  of  the  sump  is  i,340 
feet.  Beginning  at  the  800-foot  station  (758  feet  below  datum),  connected  with  the  surface  by  an  adit  level,  the 
Kandol  crosscut,  the  shaft  is  provided  with  stations  at  every  100  feet  of  depth,  the  lowest  being  the  1,800-foot 
station,  and  level,  at  1,751  feet  below  datum. 

The  Santa  Isabel  shaft  has  3  compartments^ 2  for  hoisting  and  1  for  pumping.  The  shaft  is  13  feet  8  inches 
long  by  4  feet  6  inches  wide  in  the  clear,  each  hoisting  compartment  being  3  feet  8  inches  by  4  feet  6  inches ;  the 
pump  compartment  5  feet  by  4  feet  6  inches.  The  partitions  between  the  compartments  are  8  inches  thick.  The 
timbering  consists  of  open  sets  of  10-inch  timber  with  lagging  from  the  collar  down  for  a  distance  of  60  feet, 
followed  by  close  cribbing  with  8-in.ch  timbers  for  240  feet ;  then  again  open  sets  of  10  by  10  inch  timbers,  and 
farther  down  of  10  by  12  inch  timbers.  The  open  sets  of  10-inch  timber  are  3  feet  between  centers;  the  10  by  12 
inch  sets  are  placed  at  3  feet  6  inches  between  centers.  The  pump  compartment  also  contains  the  ladder  way.  The 
collar  of  the  shaft  is  728  feet  below  datum ;  the  actual  depth  to  bottom  of  sump  is  1,526  feet.  From  this  shaft 
stations  are  established  at  the  1,400,  1,700,  1,900,  2,000,  2,100,  2,200,  and  2,300  levels,  represented,  respectively, 
by  1,303,  1,653,  1,856,  1,957,  2,035,  2,134,  and  2,234  feet  below  datum  point. 

The  Buena  Vista  shaft  is  5  by  15  feet  clear  inside  of  timbers,  and  has  2  hoisting  and  1  pumping  compartments. 
Each  hoisting  compartment  is  3  feet  8  inches  wide.  The  pump  compartinent  is  6  by  5  feet,  and  is  provided  with  ladder 
way.  The  shaft  is  closely  cribbed  from  the  collar  down  for  50  feet  with  12-inch  timbers.  Then  follow  open  sets  of 
12  by  12  inch  timbers,  3  feet  between  centers.  The  partitions  are  10  inches  thick.  The  collar  of  the  shaft  is  885  feet 
below  datum  point,  the  bottom  2,260  feet  below  datum,  or  509  feet  below  sea  level,  making  a  clear  depth  of  shaft  of 
1,375  feet.  An  adit  level  connects  with  the  shaft  306  feet  below  the  collar,  used  as  drain  level  for  the  water  raised 
by  the  pumps.  Only  2  stations  are  established  in  this  shaft,  1  at  the  2,100-foot  level  (2,046  feet  below  datum),  and 
1  at  the  2,300-foot  level  (2,246  feet  below  datum).  Explorations  below  the  2,100-foot  level  having  been  suspended, 
the  shaft  has  filled  with  water  to  that  level. 

The  Saint  George  shaft  is  4  by  8  feet  in  the  clear,  with  1  hoisting  and  1  ladder-way  compartment.  Its  total  depth 
is  548.5  feet,  including  the  sump.  The  collar  of  the  shaft  is  570  feet  below  datum  point.  The  timbering  consists  of 
open  sets  of  10  by  10  inch  timber,  3  feet  between  centers.  Stations  have,  been  established  at  the  800  level  (750  feet 
below  datum),  the  1,000-foot  level  (930  feet  below  datum),  and  the  1,200-foot  level  (1,105  feet  below  datum). 

The  Almaden  shaft  is  4  by  9.5  feet  in  the  clear,  with  1  hoisting  and  1  pumping  compartment,  the  latter  containing 
at  present  only  a  ladder  way.  The  shaft  is  timbered  with  open  sets  of  10-inch  timber,  3  feet  3  inches  between  centers. 
The  collar  is  275  feet  below  datum  point,  the  bottom  at  759  feet;  total  depth,  484.5  feet.  Stations  have  been 
established  at  the  500,  600,  and  700  levels.  This  shaft  is  not  connected  with  the  other  parts  of  the  mine. 


218  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  Washington  shaft,  4  by  14  feet  in  the  clear,  has  3  compartments,  2  for  hoisting-  and  1,  originally  used  for 
pumping,  containing-  now  only  the  ladder  way.  Its  collar  is  176  feet  below  datum  point.  The  levels  established  are 
the  400  at  368  feet,  the  800  at  741  feet,  the  900  at  841  feet,  the  1,000  at  941  feet,  and  the  1,100  at  1,041  feet  below 
datum.  There  is  also  the  850- foot  level  at  795  feet,  but  without  station  at  the  shaft  and  connected  by  a  short  crosscut 
only.  The  total  depth  of  the  shaft  from  collar  to  bottom  of  sump  is  880  feet. 

The  Santa  Rita,  America,  Cora  Blanca,  Gray,  and  Main  shafts  are  2-compartment  shafts. 

The  San  Francisco  was  originally  an  underground  shaft,  and  has  only  lately  been  driven  to  the  surface,  its  collar 
being  now  at  78  feet  below  datum  point,  while  originally  it  only  started  from  the  300-foot  level  (320  feet). 

The  Santa  Rita  shaft  was  begun  in  December,  1884,  for  the  purpose  of  prospecting  the  ground  above  and  below 
the  old  Santa  Rita  labores.  It  reached  its  total  depth  of  761.5  feet  in  March,  1886.  The  greatest  depth  sunk  in  1 
month  in  serpentine  was  150.5  feet.  Its  collar  is  at  125  feet  below  datum.  The  shaft  is  connected  with  the  Juan  Vega 
tunnel  (300  level),  the  800  level,  780  feet  below  datum,  and  has  a  station  and  level  at  the  900  (880  feet  below  datum). 

The  Main  shaft  starts  from  the  300  level  (main  tunnel)  and  has  stations  and  levels  as  follows:  10,  20,  and  27 
fathom  levels  (at  380,  445,  and  482  feet  below  datum),  Bestor's  level  (at  510  feet),  the  Santa  Eosa  or  600  level  (at 
571  feet),  the  Little  Plat  level  (at  600  feet),  and  the  Reliefer  700  level  (at  667  feet  below  datum). 

The  America,  Cora  Blanca,  and  Gray  shafts  are  timbered  with  open  sets  of  10  by  10  inch  timbers,  3  feet  apart, 
the  partition  timbers  being  6  by  8  inches  in  section. 

SHAFT  TIMBERING. — The  timbering  of  the  shafts  is  done  from  the  surface  downward  as  the  sinking  progresses. 
Sawed  redwood  timbers  are  used  for  the  framework  of  the  sets.  These  sets  are  secured  horizontally,  either  close 
together  in  very  heavy  ground  (cribbing),  or  at  certain  distances  from  each  other  (open  sets).  The  open  sets  are 
kept  apart  vertically  by  posts  or  studdles  at  their  corners.  Between  the  sets  the  ground  is  covered  by  lagging  3 
inches  by  6  inches  in  section,  placed  upright,  and  secured  tightly  against  the  timbers  by  wedges  driven  between  the 
ground  and  the  lagging.  Cross-timbers  for  the  partitions  form  a  part  of  every  set. 

The  sizes  of  the  timbers  forming  the  sets  are  selected  according  to  the  size  of  the  shaft  and  the  nature  of  the 
ground,  which  also  control  the  distance  between  the  sets.  The  posts,  or  "studdles",  as  they  are  called,  have  simply 
squared  ends,  and  after  being  placed  in  proper  position  are  secured  with  heavy  nails. 

In  the  solid  cribbing  the  end  timbers  rest  against  a  1-inch  shoulder  of  the  long  pieces  only.  The  timber  sets 
for  winzes  of  ordinary  size  are  similarly  framed,  with  shoulder  joints  at  the  corners  and  studdles  to  keep  them  apart, 
and  lagging  where  necessary.  This  style  of  framing  is  changed  in  winzes  that  have  more  than  one  compartment, 
and  in  heavy  ground  when  the  timbers  are  framed  like  shaft  timbers  and  provided  with  partitions. 

When  sufficient  ground  has  been  excavated  to  place  a  new  set,  the  end  timbers  are  first  lowered  down  and 
put  approximately  in  place  by  hanging  them  from  the  last  set  above.  Round  iron  rods,  with  nuts  and  washers  at 
one  end  and  a  hook  at  the  other  end,  are  passed  through  holes  and  secured  by  nuts  in  the  last  set  above.  Similar 
rods  are  passed  through  the  new  end  pieces  and  hooked  to  the  rods  from  above.  The  long  sides  of  the  frame  are 
then  lowered  in  place  and  the  studdles  secured  in  the  4  corners.  The  iron  rods  are  then  screwed  up  tight,  when 
the  new  set  is  firmly  held  by  the  one  above.  The  lagging  is  then  put  in  place  and  nailed  to  the  timbers,  wedges 
driven  firmly  between  the  rock  walls  and  the  lagging,  and  the  partitions  put  in  place.  When  so  arranged  the  new 
set  is  held  in  place  by  the  lateral  pressure  of  the  ground,  and  the  iron  rods  connecting  the  sets  can  be  withdrawn 
after  a  time,  although  it  is  usual  to  keep  them  in  place  for  3  or  4  sets  above  the  last  one.  Every  30  or  40  feet 
or  so  the  end  pieces  of  the  sets  rest  upon  other  timbers,  called  bearers,  that  are  made  longer  and  have  their  ends  for 
a  certain  depth  supported  in  holes  excavated  in  the  wall  rock  at  the  proper  distances.  This  depth  depends  upon  the 
nature  of  the  ground,  being  only  about  4  inches  in  hard  rock,  and  sometimes  as  much  as  2  feet  in  soft  ground. 
When  the  ground  is  too  soft,  or  liable  to  give  way,  the  bearers  are  omitted  until  firm  ground  is  reached.  Timber 
sets  so  adjusted  last  for  many  years,  and  with  proper  attention  require  very  little  repair.  Should  a  set  become 
broken  from  any  cause,  pressure  of  the  ground  or  otherwise,  or  be  forced  out  of  the  general  alignment,  it  can  be 
taken  out  and  readjusted  without  much  difficulty.  In  very  heavy  ground  this  method  of  timbering  is  replaced 
by  solid  crib  work,  in  which  one  set  rests  upon  the  other.  Here  the  iron  rods  are  dispensed  with,  and  the  sets  are 
built  up  from  below,  precaution  being  taken  to  have  sufficient  space  for  the  sets  between  the  one  first  secured  in 
the  bottom  and  the  others  that  are  to  follow  on  top  to  inclose  the  sides,  the  last  remaining  space  being  filled  in  by 
a  piece  of  board,  wedge-shaped  to  the  required  size  and  driven  firmly  between  the  sets. 

Small  prospect  shafts  have  their  sides  timbered  with  2-inch  planking,  no  other  timbers  being  used,  except  a  few 
open  sets  near  the  surface  of  the  ground.  In  this  case  the  planks  are  sawed  to  proper  lengths  and  placed  horizontally 
with  their  faces  against  the  sides  of  the  shafts,  the  end  planks  being  secured  by  pieces  of  1  by  6  inch  boards,  nailed 
against  the  long  sides  to  prevent  the  ends  from  being  forced  in.  Wedges  hold  these  planks  firmly  in  place.  The 
partitions  are  also  made  of  2-inch  plank  secured  by  1  by  6  inch  pieces.  The  planking  is  done  from  time  to  time  as 
the  depth  of  the  shaft  increases,  and  then  from  the  bottom  upward,  as  in  crib  work. 

The  stations  in  the  shafts  from  which  the  different  levels  start  are  chambers  excavated,  and  timbered  if 
necessary,  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  shaft,  usually  16  feet  deep,  and  consist  of  2  floors,  called  the  upper 
and  lower  plats.  The  upper  plat  has  its  floor  on  a  level  with  the  car  track  of  the  drift  starting  from  the  plat,  while  the 


QUICKSILVER.  219 

lower  plat  furnishes  dumping-  room  for  the  material  to  be  hoisted  to  the  surface.  The  upper  plat  is  7  or  8  feet 
high  in  the  clear  between  the  timbers.  The  dump  plat  lias  a  capacity  for  about  30  tons  of  rock,  which  is  dumped 
by  the  cars  through  an  opening  between  the  rails  over  the  whole  length  of  the  plat.  The  upper  plat  is  used  for 
landing  timbers  and  supplies  or  tools  sent  into  the  mine. 

In  opening  a  station  for  a  new  level,  one  of  the  long  sides  of  the  shaft  sets  adjoining  the  station  with  its  lagging 
is  taken  out  for  the  entire  height  of  the  2  plats,  and  heavy  upright  timbers  are  inserted  at  the  2  corners  of  the 
shaft  timbers  and  one  opposite  each  partition,  to  take  up  the  pressure  of  the  other  side.  These  timbers  are  called 
"brow  pieces".  The  roof  of  the  stations  is  either  left  unsecured  (when  in  solid  rock)  or  is  timbered  with  horizontal 
or  arched  timbers,  as  the  case  may  require,  and  is  covered  by  lagging.  The  upper  and  lower  plats  have  floors  of 
3-inch  tir  planking,  that  of  the  upper  plat  resting  on  12-inch  timbers  or  joists. 

All  the  shafts  and  winzes  are  provided  with  ladder  ways.  The  ladders  have  2  by  4  inch  redwood  scantlings 
for  sides,  each  piece  15  feet  7  inches  long.  The  distances  between  the  sides  is  10  inches  in  the  clear.  The  rounds 
of  the  ladders  are  11  inches  apart,  made  of  five-eighth -inch  round  bar  iron.  The  third  round  from  each  end  of  the 
ladder  is  made  of  three-quarter-inch  round  bar  iron,  with  shoulders  or  bosses  that  abut  against  the  inner  side  of  the 
.spars,  and  nuts  screwed  on  the  ends  of  these  bars  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the  sides.  In  putting  ladder  ways 
in  perpendicular  shafts  or  winzes,  2  ladders  are  joined  together  at  the  sides  by  a  piece  of  scantling,  and,  having  the 
upper  end  secured  to  the  shaft  timbers  by  iron  clamps,  stand  with  their  lower  end  upon  small  platforms  built  across 
the  shaft,  which  gives  them  sufficient  slope  for  greater  ease  in  climbing.  The  next  pair  of  ladders  starts  either 
from  the  same  side  of  the  shaft  or  from  the  opposite  side,  the  head  of  the  second  ladders  projecting  sufficiently  above 
the  platform  to  afford  a  hold  while  the  next  step  is  taken.  Inclined  winzes  have  platforms  at  every  second  ladder 
when  the  winze  is  not  used  for  other  purposes,  or  have  a  continuous  line  of  ladders  if  space  should  be  required  for 
hoisting  or  lowering. 

TUNNELS  OB  DRIFTS. — The  usual  size  of  all  drifts  or  tunnels  is  7  feet  high  by  5  feet  wide  in  the  clear.  In  hard 
rock,  which  requires  no  supports  to  hold  it  in  place,  this  cross  section  is  of  course  irregular,  but  whenever  the  nature 
of  the  ground  makes  timbering  necessary  the  cross  section  is  obtained  by  the  clear  length  of  the  timbers.  The  top 
or  cap  piece  which  supports  the  roof  is  4  feet  long  in  the  clear,  and  the  posts  or  legs  are  each  7.5  feet  long  in  the 
clear,  spreading  to  a  width  of  C  feet  at  the  bottom.  2  posts  or  legs  and  a  cap  form  a  set  of  timbers.  These  are 
set  from  3  to  5  feet  apart,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  and  covered  with  lagging  on  the  roof  and  sides 
when  the  ground  requires  this  precaution.  The  lagging  is  3  by  G  inches  in  cross  section,  and  of  suitable  length  to 
cover  the  space  between  the  sets.  In  drifts  where  a  good  solid  vein  is  followed  it  is  usual  to  dispense  with  1  leg  of 
the  set,  as  the  vein  is  hard  enough  to  stand  without  breaking,  and  only  the  hanging- wall  side  and  the  roof  have 
to  be  supported.  The  timber  used  is  redwood,  hewed  to  different  sizes.  The  dimensions  are  selected  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  ground.  ™T?nelargest  size  timbers  are  10  by  16  inches  square,  the  smallest  8  by  8  inches.  Bound 
timber  has  of  late  years  been  used,  as  it  is  somewhat  cheaper,  and  the  round  sticks  are  often  split  in  two  in  making 
sets  for  drifts.  The  lower  ends  of  the  posts  are  simply  placed  on  the  floor  without  sills.  A  piece  of  lagging  of 
proper  length  is  usually  wedged  and  nailed  between  the  upper  ends  of  the  2  adjoining  sets  to  keep  the  sets  apart 
and  transfer  the  pressure  of  the  ground  against  one  set  to  the  neighboring  sets.  The  lower  ends  of  the  posts  do 
not  require  this  precaution,  as  they  are  set  in  the  ground  a  few  inches  and  so  are  firmly  held. 

The  grade  or  inclination  of  the  floor  of  the  drifts  or  tunnels  is  about  1  foot  in  the  hundred  in  all  drifts  following 
the  vein,  where  they  are  usually  very  tortuous.  Straight  tunnels,  adits,  or  crosscuts  of  greater  length  have  an 
inclination  of  only  3  or  4  inches  to  100  feet.  All  drifts  or  levels  are  provided  with  tracks  of  steel  rails,  joined  by  fish 
plates  and  resting  on  crossties  of  redwood  4  by  0  inches  in  section,  4  feet  long.  90  per  cent  of  all  drifts  and  tunnels 
require  timbering  to  prevent  the  caving  in  of  the  sides  and  roof. 

The  excavating  of  drifts  and  shafts  is  usually  done  by  hand  drills.  The  Santa  Isabel  and  the  Bueiia  Vista  shafts 
have  been  sunk  largely  by  machine  drills ;  so  also  all  the  long  crosscuts  underground. 

ORE   EXTRACTION. 

The  ore  deposits  having  been  reached  by  the  drifts  or  crosscuts,  their  removal  is  accomplished  in  the  following 
manner:  The  face  of  the  vein  rock  is  blasted  out  as  far  as  the  ore  deposit  reaches  back  into  the  vein,  the  floor  being 
kept  level  with  the  drift.  The  deposits  of  cinnabar  generally  follow  the  hanging  wall  or  alta,  and  vary  in  thickness 
from  a  few  to  many  feet.  As  all  the  rock  that  contains  cinnabar  is  broken  out  there  is  a  large  cavity  left  of 
irregular  form,  with  sloping  bottom  and  sloping,  overhanging  roof.  The  roof  being  formed  of  the  hanging  wall, 
which  is  mostly  a  shaly  formation,  is  sometimes  hard,  but  often  very  soft  and  clayey,  and  timbers  have  to  be 
inserted  for  its  support.  The  regular  plan  followed  in  stoping  and  timbering  these  ore  excavations  is  by 
breaking  the  vein  upward  (overhead  stoping)  from  the  bottom  of  the  level  where  the  stope  commences  for  a 
horizontal  distance  of  about  4  feet,  when,  after  squaring  the  face  of  the  stope,  the  timbering,  consisting  of  posts, 
caps,  and  lagging,  is  put  in  to  secure  the  roof.  In  this  way  the  ore  is  followed  up  as  far  as  it  reaches,  and  the  timbering 
is  continued  as  the  excavation  proceeds.  The  ore  deposits  being  very  irregular  in  form,  it  follows  that  the  timbering 
is  also  very  irregular  in  arrangement.  A  set  of  timbers  usually  consists  of  2  legs  or  posts,  a  cap,  and  lagging, 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

or,  in  very  heavy  ground,  split  timber,  to  support  the  roof.  2  auxiliary  uprights  or  posts  are  put  in  place  first, 
reaching  from  the  bottom  of  the  excavation  to  its  roof  and  placed  in  a  position  normal  to  the  pressure  of  the  roof. 
Small  channels  from  4  to  G  inches  deep,  called  "hitches",  are  cut  in  the  foot  wall  for  these  auxiliary  posts  to  secure 
them  against  the  force  of  blasting.  These  posts  are  of  different  sizes,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  roof,  and 
usually  12  by  12,  14  by  14,  or  10  by  10  inches  thick.  They  are  sawed  off'  at  proper  lengths  to  reach  the  roof  of  the 
labor,  against  which  they  are  tightly  wedged.  Parallel  with  the  face  of  the  labor  they  are  usually  12  feet  apart  and 
3.5  feet  in  the  other  direction.  Against  the  inward  side  of  these  timbers,  toward  the  face  of  the  labor,  the  re«ular 
sets  are  placed,  long  enough  to  admit  on  the  top  the  caps,  which  are  also  of  heavy  timbers  from  12  by  12  to  10  by  10 
inches  thick,  and  on  top  of  these  caps,  reaching  from  one  set  to  the  other,  is  placed  the  lagging  or  split  timber  to 
support  thereof.  In  some  cases  2  or  3  caps  are  laid  on  top  of  each  other  to  support  the  heavy  pressure  of  the 
roof,  and  the  uprights  sometimes  consist  of  4  posts,  each  1C  by  10,  inches  thick,  bolted  together  with  three-quarter- 
inch  round  iron  bolts,  forming  a  solid  column  of  timber  32  inches  square.  Even  this  method  is  sometimes  insufficient 
to  withstand  the  great  pressure,  and  solid  cribwork  of  heavy  timber  has  to  be  substituted  to  support  the  roof. 
Whenever  possible  waste  rock  is  piled  up  in  the  form  of  pillars  or  walls,  which,  when  well  laid,  is  the  best  protection 
against  pressure,  although  the  steep  slope  of  the  ore  bodies  makes  this  method  impossible  in  most  case's. 

The  character  of  the  vein  is  such  that  the  ore  can  not  be  extracted  without  the  aid  of  powder,  and  for  this 
purpose,  if  possible,  black  powder  is  used,  in  order  to  prevent  too  much  fracturing  of  the  ore  into  very  fine  stuff.  In 
very  hard  siliceous  veins,  however,  dynamite  powder  is  used;  also  when  large  fragments  of  rock  have  to  be 
blasted,  or  in  making  room  for  timbers  and  in  wet  holes.  The  faces  of  the  labores  advance  upward  with  a  breadth 
of  20  to  50  feet,  and  if  any  ore  remains  at  the  sides  it  is  taken  up  after  the  first  stope  upward  has  readied  the 
level  above,  or  it  is  taken  up  in  steps  all  around  as  the  work  progresses.  The  main  object  is  to  keep  a  central  place 
for  the  delivery  of  the  broken  ore  into  the  cars,  which  would  be  more  difficult  if  the,  whole  face  of  the  ore  body  were 
advanced  upward  at  once.  Pillars  are  not  left  in  the  ground,  although  with  a  very  extended  ore  body  (they  are  from 
100  to  300  feet  in  length  at  times)  it  is  usual  to  start  the  stopes  from  2  or  more  places  at  once.  The  sorting  of  the 
ore  is  not  done  underground,  excepting  that  large  fragments  of  barren  rock  are  left  behind  and  piled  up  ii7  places 
where  they  are  out  of  the  way.  The  filling  in  or  stowing  of  the  exhausted  labores  with  waste  rock  is  seldom  resorted 
to  on  account  of  the  irregularity  of  the  stopes  and  the  great  expense  incurred  in  tramming  the  rock  to  the  required 
places.  Old  exhausted  labores,  however,  are  used  as  dumps  for  the  waste  rock  from  prospect  drifts.  The  caving 
together  of  old  labores,  should  it  happen,  does  not  cause  any  inconvenience,  and  most  of  the  ground  has'  been 
accessible  after  10  years  and  over. 

Two  systems  are  employed  in  extracting  the  ore,  (1)  the  footage  system,  and  (2)  the  tribute  system.  The  footage 
system  is  usually  employed  in  new  labores;  that  is,  in  such  as  have  been  recently  discovered.  The  miners  are  paid 
by  the  depth  of  the  bore  holes  drilled,  the  contract  for  each  labor  being  awarded  to  the  lowest  bidder  per  foot.  The 
number  of  men  forming  a  company  for  1  labor  ranges,  according  to  the  size  of  the  MJOI,  fiom  4  to  20  or  more. 
The  men  work  in  2  shifts  of  10  hours  each,  commencing  work  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  7  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
respectively.  These  shifts  are  under  the  control  of  a  foreman  employed  by  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  f  FC 
is  called  the  "  blaster",  and  receives  his  orders  from  the  mining  captain.  The  blaster  determines  where  the  holes  shall 
be  drilled,  in  what  direction,  and  to  what  depth.  Beginning  at  the  commencement  of  the  shift  and  continuing  tor 
about  4.5  hours,  each  party  of  2  miners  will  probably  drill  0  to  8  feet  of  holes  of  1.25  inches  in  diameter,  or  during 
the  whole  shift  of  10  hours  probably  from  0  to  12  holes.  The  first  part  of  the  work  is  finished  at  about  25  minutes 
to  midnight  or  midday,  as  the  case  may  be,  when  a  rest  is  taken  for  lunch.  The  blaster  measures  then  the  depth  of 
all  the  drill  holes  and  keeps  a  record  of  these  figures,  which  constitute  the  earnings  of  the  men.  He  hands  to  the 
men  the  powder  can,  and  directs  how  much  powder  is  to  be  used  for  each  hole,  After  all  the  holes  have  been  properly 
charged  and  tamped  he  gives  the  order  to  fire.  The  candle  snuffs  under  each  fuse  are  then  lighted,  and  the  men 
retire  to  a  safe  place,  The  number  of  blasts  are  carefully  counted  as  they  go  off,  so  as  to  be  sure  that  all  charges 
have  been  exploded.  In  case  a  hole  misses  fire  it  becomes  the  duty  of  the  blaster,  after  a  delay  of  30  minutes,  to 
return  to  the  drill  holes  and  to  find  the  unexploded  charge.  The  hole  is  refired  if  it  is  found  that  the  fault  has  been 
in  the  candle  going  out  before  setting  fire  to  the  fuse;  but  should  the  fuse  have  been  burned  without  communicating 
the  fire  to  the  charge,  then  the  hole  is  left  untouched  for  24  hours,  and  the  men  in  the  vicinity  are  warned  to  be  careful. 
After  24  hours'  time  the  charge  is  carefully  picked  out,  and  the  hole  is  recharged  and  fired  if  necessary. 

In  the  tribute  system  a  company  of  miners,  having  selected  some  part  of  the  mine  to  extract  ore  from,  usually  one 
of  the  abandoned  stopes  of  former  years,  apply  for  a  private  contract  to  work  it.  They  attend  to  all  the  different 
ojK-ratioris  of  mining,  that  is,  stoping,  drifting,  blasting,  and  timbering,  at  an  agreed  price  per  ton  of  ore  extracted. 
These  contracts  are  given  only  for  1  mouth  at  a  time  and  are  renewed  from  mouth  to  month.  The  superintendent 
of  the  mine  reserves  the  right  to  state  the  number  of  men  that  shall  be  employed  in  the  work.  The  detail  work  is 
generally  under  the  supervision  of  the  mining  captain,  in  order  that  the  ground  may  be  explored  to  the  best 
advantage.  The  transportation  is  done  by  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company.  Tools  and  timber  are  also  furnished, 
the  tributers  supplying  only  powder  and  light. 


QUICKSILVER.  221 

TRAMMING. 

The  waste  rock  from  prospect  drifts  and  winzes,  crosscuts  or  upraises,  if  not  used  in  filling  up  abandoned 
stOj,  night  in  cars  to  the  shafts  where  it  is  hoisted  to  the  surface.  The  ore  from  the  labores  is  transported 

in  the  way.  Care  is  taken  to  keep  the  ore  separated  from  waste  rock,  and  to  keep  separate  the  ores  coming 

from  the  company's  labores  as  well  as  those  coming1  from  the  different  tributers'  labores,  as  the  account  of  each, 
tributer  company  must  be  kept  distinct. 

In  the  Eandol  mine,  where  many  shifts  of  miners  are  working  in  prospecting  or  tribute  work,  and  where  many 
labores  are  being  stoped,  tramming  is  continued  day  and  night.  This  work  is  awarded  by  contract  to  the  lowest 
bidder  per  ton.  A  company  of  4  or  6,  sometimes  8,  men  takes  the  contract  for  tramming  on  several  levels  that  can 
be  worked  together  conveniently.  In  those  parts  of  the  mine  where  only  2  or  3  drifts  or  labores  are  being 
worked  and  the  distances  to  be  trammed  are  short  the  miners  do  their  own  tramming.  In  tramming,  2  men 
usually  attend  to  a  car  that  holds  1  ton  of  rock  or  ore.  They  fill  the  car  at  the  ore  stopes  or  at  the  pile  of  waste 
rock  that  has  been  thrown  back  by  the  miners. 

On  the  1,400-foot  crosscut  south  from  Santa  Isabel  shaft,  which  is  over  2,600  feet  in  length,  and  in  the  Day 
tunnel,  which  i.«  -1  ••>  of  great  length,  the  tramming  is  done  by  mules.  The  mules  that  work  on  the  1,400  crosscut 
from  Santa  Isa  haft  are  stabled  underground.  The  tramming  from  the  Eandol  shaft  on  the  800-foot  crosscut 
(adit)  is  done  by  i.  .lies  to  bring  the  hoisted  material,  ore,  or  waste  rock  from  the  shaft  to  the  surface.  1  mule 
pulls  a  train  of  2  cars,  and  is  attended  by  a  driver. 

CARS. — Those  used  in  the  Randol  mine  are  5  feet  C  inches  long  inside  the  box,  2  feet  3  inches  wide,  and  1  foot 
10  inches  deep,  holding  from  1,600  to  2,000  pounds  of  rock  or  ore.  The  box  is  made  of  pine  planks,  the  sides  1.5 
inches  thick,  the  bottom  2  inches  thick,  lined  with  quarter-inch  sheet-iron  plate  on  the  inside.  The  upper  edge  is 
also  protected  by  strap  iron  screwed  on.  The  box  has  a  hinged  door  in  front  hung  on  a  1-inch  round  bar  of  iron. 
This  door  is  kept  closed  by  a  hook  at  the  end  of  an  iron  bar  which  runs  along  the  bottom  of  the  car,  and  is  opened 
or  closed  by  turning  the  handle  at  the  rear  end  of  the  car  box.  The  trucks  are  made  of  4  by  10  inch  pine  lumber,  and 
provided  with  cast-iron  wheels  14  inches  in  diameter.  These  cars  dump  only  in  front. 

In  the  Day  tunnel  and  the  Eandol  adit  (800  crosscut)  cars  of  the  largest  size  are  used,  as  they  are  trammed  by 
mules.  These  car  boxes  are  also  of  wood,  but  measure  inside  6  feet  2  inches  in  length,  2  feet  6  inches  in  width,  and 
2  feet  deep.  They  have  a  capacity  of  3,000  pounds.  In  construction  they  resemble  the  cars  used  in  the  Eandol 
mine,  exeept  that  they  are  provided  with'brakes  worked  by  foot  power  from  the  rear  end  of  the  car. 

At  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  where  the  cars  are  hoisted  to  the  surface,  they  are  made  of  three-sixteenth-inch 
sheet-iron  boxes,  3  feet  8  inches  long,  26  inches  wide,  and  2  feet  deep.  They  dump  in  front  or  at  the  sides,  as 
required.  The  truck  is  framed  of  timber  and  rests  on  12-inch  cast-iron  wheels.  One  wheel  of  each  pair  is  keyed  to 
the  axle,  while  the  other  revolves  freely.  The  axles  are  of  1.25-inch  round  steel,  revolving  in  cast-iron  boxes.  The 
cars  weigh  000  pounds  empty,  and  hold  about  1,200  to  1,500  pounds. 

The  gauge  of  the  tracks  is  24  inches  in  the  Eandol  mine,  30  inches  in  the  Day  tunnel  and  Eandol  adit,  and  20  / 
inches  in  the  Buena  Yista,  Almaden,  Saint  George,  and  San  Francisco.     One  man,  called  the  track  layer,  with  an  / 
assistant,  attends  to  all  the  laying  and  repairing  of  the  tracks.     The  rails  now  used  in  the  mine  are  of  steel,  weighing  I 
I!'  pounds  to  the  yard.     The  total  length  of  all  underground  railroads,  including  the  tracks  leading  from  shafts  to  ore 
and  waste  dumps,  is  35,000  feet,  in  round  numbers. 

HOISTING. — The  ore  and  waste  rock  from  the  Buena  Vista  shaft  is  hoisted  to  the  surface  in  cars  on  double-deck 
cages,  provided  with  tracks  for  this  purpose.  There  are  consequently  no  dump  plats  in  the  Buena  Vista  stations. 
The  cars  while  on  the  cage  are  held  in  place  by  hooks,  which  are  dropped  into  staples  riveted  to  each  side  of  the 
car.  All  the  other  shafts  are  provided  with  skips  for  hoisting  the  ore  and  waste  rock.  The  skips  are  rectangular 
boxes  made  of  quarter-inch  steel  plates,  stiffened  at  the  corners  by  2-inch  angle  iron,  to  which  the  sides  are 
riveted  by  half-inch  rivets  driven  from  the  inside.  The  inside  dimensions  of  the  horizontal  section  of  the  skip 
are  2  feet  8.5  inches  by  2  feet  7  inches.  The  front  side  is  6  feet  3  inches  long  on  the  outside,  while  the  rear  side  is 
only  3  feet  7  inches  long,  which  gives  the  skip  a  sloping  bottom.  The  lower  end  of  the  front  has  a  hinged  door  2 
feet  4  inches  high,  covering  the  whole  width  of  the  skip.  This  door  is  closed  by  a  latch  bar  3  inches  by 
live-eighths  inch  extending  across  the  front  and  dropping  into  catches  projecting  from  each  side  of  the  box,  and 
is  kept  locked  by  a  movable  key  or  pawl  which  hangs  above  it.  A  piece  of  angle  iron  riveted  to  the  bottom  of  the 
box,  on  the  outside  near  its  front  edge,  serves  for  a  shoulder  to  rest  against  the  apron  or  door  of  the  shaft  while 
unloading.  The  guide  frame  or  bale  of  the  skip  is  made  of  three-quarter-inch  iron,  4  inches  wide,  riveted  to  the 
sides  of  the  skip  by  rivets  driven  from  the  inside  of  the  box.  The  transverse  bar  on  the  upper  end  of  the  frame 
or  bale  is  of  wrought  iron  1  inch  thick  and  3.5  inches  deep,  with  flanges  at  each  end  and  bolted  to  the  guide  frame. 
From  the  transverse  bar  down  along  each  side  of  the  frame  to  the  lower  end  of  the  skip  box  extends  a  guide 
strap  4  inches  wide,  one-fourth  inch  thick,  fastened  to  the  frame  and  skip  box  1.25  inches  from  the  face  of  the 
box,  which  brings  the  outside  faces  of  these  guide  straps  2  feet  11.5  inches  apart  and  leaves  one-half  inch  for 
play  between  the  guide  rods.  Near  the  upper  and  lower  ends  of  each  guide  strap  shoes  are  fastened  to  the  frame 


222  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

and  skip  box,  made  of  iron  three-eighths  inch  thick,  6  inches  high,  the  "2  flanges  or  checks  of  each  shoe  extending 
2.75  inches  beyond  the  face  of  the  guide  strap.  The  inner  faces  of  the  flanges  are  protected  by  false  plates  riveted 
to  the  shoes.  The  inner  surfaces  of  each  pair  of  plates  when  worn  down  are  easily  replaced.  A  drawbar  2.25  inches 
in  diameter  passes  through  the  upper-  end  of  the  bale  or  frame.  It  has  a  vertical  play  of  9  inches,  and  is  prevented 
from  turning  by  a  key.  To  the  lower  end  of  the  drawbar  double  nuts  are  screwed  to  hold  it  within  the  frame, 
while  2  nuts  on  the  upper  end  hold  the  clevis  to  which  the  shackle  is  attached.  The  top  of  the  guide  frame  is 
covered  by  a  bonnet  or  hood  of  three-sixteenths-iuch  sheet  iron,  fastened  to  the  frame  by  bolts.  The  bonnet  has 
hinges  at  the  distance  of  6  inches  from  its  ridge,  to  allow  its  being  opened  if  necessary.  The  skips  are  provided 
with  a  safety  arrangement,  alike  on  all  skips  and  cages  except  the  timber  cages,  which  are  without  it.  The 
arrangement  referred  to  consists  of  2  round  steel  bars,  1.5  inches  in  diameter,  extending  across  and  beyond  the  frame 
of  the  cage  far  enough  to  embrace  within  their  ends  the  guide  rods,  also  called  u  skip  rods",  which  are  sticks  of  timber 
3.75  inches  square,  planed,  and  fastened  to  each  side  of  the  shaft,  extending  from  top  to  bottom.  On  the  ends  of  the 
round  steel  bars  are  placed  and  keyed  fast  cast-iron  eccentrics  having  a  serrated  surface  on  a  part  of  their 
circumference.  The  bars  are  supported  by  and  revolve  freely  in  eyes  forged  on  each  side  of  the  upright  members 
of  the  frame  of  the  skip  or  cage.  A  chain  pulley  is  keyed  to  each  bar  at  the  center,  to  which  a  three-eighths-inch 
chain  is  made  fast,  passed  around  it,  and  attached  to  the  drawbar  or  lifting  bolt.  The  length  of  this  chain  is  such 
that  when  the  drawbar  takes  the  weight  of  the  cage  it  causes  the  shafts  carrying  the  eccentrics  to  partly  revolve, 
bringing  the  smaller  radii  of  the  eccentrics  opposite  each  other.  As  there  are  no  teeth  on  this  part  of  the 
circumference  of  the  eccentrics,  there  is  sufficient  space  left  between  to  clear  the  wooden  guide  rods.  The  bars 
while  turning  into  this  position  act  on  2  strong  steel  spiral  springs,  1  on  each  side  of  the  corresponding  eccentric, 
drawing  their  coils  closer  together  and  exerting  a  force  of  several  hundred  pounds.  The  moment  the  strain  is 
removed  from  the  drawbar  or  lifting  bolt,  in  the  event  of  resting  the  cage  or  skip  §n  some  support,  or  in  case  of  the 
suspending  rope  parting  or  breaking,  the  springs  uncoil  with  sudden  force,  turn  the  shafts  or  cam  bars,  and  bring 
the  greater  radii  of  the  2  opposing  eccentrics  closer  together,  their  teeth  grasping  the  wooden  guide  rods  with 
stronger  force  the  heavier  the  attached  weight,  and  preventing  the  skip  or  cage  from  further  descent.  The  weight 
of  these  skips  complete  is  1,700  pounds.  Their  capacity  is  3,000  pounds  of  rock.  Skips  of  the  same  size  are  used 
at  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft.  Shafts  with  small  hoisting  engines  have  skips  of  proportionate  size,  holding  2,000  or 
1,000  pounds  only,  but  the  construction  is  similar  to  those  of  the  largest  size,  and  all  are  provided  with  safety 
attachments.  For  hoisting  water,  self-dumping  skips,  working  automatically,  have  been  used  at  the  Santa  Isabel 
and  Buena  Vista  shafts. 

For  hoisting  and  lowering  men  at  the  Eandol  and  Santa  Isabel  shafts  double-deck  cages  are  employed.  They 
contain  2  platforms  or  floors  2  feet  7  inches  square,  made  of  quarter-inch  sheet  iron,  6  feet  apart,  hanging  by 
4  round  iron  bars,  1  inch  in  diameter,  from  2  bars  that  are  fastened  to  the  guide  frame  with  three-quarter-inch 
bolts.  These  cages  are  provided  with  bonnets  and  safety  clutches.  Each  deck  holds  C  men.  To  send  timbers  into 
the  Eandol  mine  a  cage  with  a  single  platform  and  without  bonnet  or  safety  apparatuses  used.  The  guide  frame  is 
8  feet  long  and  2  feet  8  inches  square.  The  cage  at  the  Buena  Vista  shaft  is  similar  to  the  one  used  for  men  at  the 
Eandol  shaft.  It  has  in  addition  track  irons  on  each  deck  for  the  cars.  This  double-deck  cage  weighs  1,800  pounds. 

The  Buena  Vista  shaft  is  provided  at  the  top  and  at  the  2,100-foot  station  with  lauding  chairs  to  support  the 
cage  while  the  cars  are  run  off  or  on  the  platform  of  the  cage.  They  consist  of  4  wrought-iron  knees,  2  on  each 
side  of  the  shaft,  into  which  they  project,  and  are  situated  just  below  the  floor  of  the  station.  They  are  withdrawn  from 
projecting  in  the  shaft  by  a  lever  keyed  to  the  shafts,  which  are  connected  with  the  knees  by  iron  rods.  By  moving 
the  lever  backward  the  shafts  partly  revolve,  withdrawing  the  knees  and  leaving  the  way  clear -for  the  descending 
cage.  The  "  lander"  or  station  tender  operates  this  lever,  a  catch  being  also  provided  to  keep  the  lever  in  position 
when  withdrawn,  if  required.  Automatic  covers  close  the  top  of  the  Buena  Vista  shaft  when  the  cages  are  down. 

The  rock  and  ore  from  the  mine  are  hoisted  at  the  Eandol  shaft  to  the  800-foot  adit  level,  and  thence  run  out  in 
cars  drawn  by  mules,  as  already  mentioned.  This  adit  level,  or  800  crosscut  from  the  Eandol  shaft,  is  700  feet 
long.  From  the  mouth  of  the  crosscut  begins  an  elevated  car  track,  which  leads  to  the  planilla  or  ore-cleaning 
shed  and  to  the  waste  dump.  At  the  800-foot  station  a  sheet-iron  door  or  apron,  movable  on  hinges,  is  secured 
against  the  open  side  of  the  shaft  in  such  a  way  that  by  the  movement  of  a  lever  the  upper  edge  of  the  apron  will 
project  about  4  inches  inside  of  the  shaft,  while  the  lower  edge  will  project  outside  and  over  the  top  of  a  car  that 
stands  in  place  on  the  track  alongside  of  the  shaft.  The  loaded  skip  having  been  hoisted  a  couple  of  feet  above  this 
800-foot  station,  the  apron  is  brought  into  position  by  the  lever,  and  the  skip  is  lowered  down  until  it  rests  with 
the  angle  iron  on  its  bottom  against  the  upper  edge  of  the  apron.  The  skip  door  is  then  opened  by  throwing  aside 
the  key  or  pawl  and  swinging  the  latch  bar  from  the  catches,  when  the  whole  charge1  drops  into  the  ready  car. 
1  man  at  the  station  attends  to  this  work.  2  cars  make  a  train,  which  is  drawn  by  a  mule,  attended  by  a  driver. 
A  loaded  train  is  taken  out  and  the  empty  cars  returned  while  another  train  is  filled  by  the  man  at  the  station.  A 
switch  track  at  the  station  gives  room  for  the  management  of  the  trains.  The  loaded  train,  having  arrived  at  the 
mouth  of  the  adit,  is  taken  in  charge  by  a  man  called  the  "car  dumper".  He  pushes  the  cars  to  their  destination  and 
dumps  the  loads  at  the  different  screens  when  loaded  with  ore,  or  discharges  them  over  the  waste  dump  if  they 
contain  waste  rock,  called  "tepetate".  In  this  way  the  work  goes  on  without  interruption  day  and  night. 


QUICKSILVER.  223 

At  the  other  shafts,  where  the  ore  or  waste  rock  is  brought  to  the  top  of  the  shaft  and  where  the  cleaning  floors 
for  ore  and  the  waste  dump  are  near  at  hand,  the  discharging  of  the  skips  and  the  tramming  of  the  loaded  cars,  etc., 
is  done  by  1  man,  called  the  "lander",  using  only  1  car,  which  can  be  discharged  while  another  skip  load  is  being 
hoisted  to  the  surface. 

The  arrangement  for  loading  skips  at  the  different  stations  of  the  Randol  and  the  Santa  Isabel  shafts  is  as 
follows:  Filling  the  skips  with  the  material  to  be  hoisted  from  the  Randol  shaft  is  done  by  contract.  The  prices 
for  skip  filling  range  from  8.5  to  10  cents  per  ton.  G  men  at  the  Randol  shaft  form  a  company,  who  attend 
to  all  skip  filling  at  the  different  stations  of  that  shaft.  At  other  shafts,  where  less  rock  is  hoisted,  skip  filling 
is  done  by  day's  labor.  The  stations  at  all  the  shafts  excepting  the  Buena  Vista  are  of  2  stories.  In  the 
Randol  and  Santa  Isabel  shafts  a  dump  car  is  used  for  filling  the  skip.  This  car  stands  on  the  lower  platform, 
on  a  short  track  facing  the  shaft.  It  is  made  entirely  of  iron  and  holds  exactly  1  full  charge  for  the  skip,  or  3,000 
pounds.  The  dump  car  is  of  the  same  size  as  the  skip.  The  car  is  open  in  front,  a  short  board  being  placed  in 
the  forward  end  to  keep  the  rock  in  place  while  the  car  is  being  filled.  The  forward  end  of  the  rails  that  form  the 
track  are  bent  upward,  so  that  the  car  can  be  pushed  only  a  short  distance  ahead,  just  sufficient  to  overhang  the 
skip  ready  for  the  load.  The  advantage  of  this  dump  car  is  that  the  skip  fillers  can  prepare  the  load  while  the 
skip  is  being  hoisted  and  lowered  again,  and  a  charge  is  ready  by  the  time  the  skip  returns  to  the  station.  The 
dump  car  is  then  run  forward  on  its  short  track  and  its  charge  dumped  into  the  skip.  To  hold  the  skip  in  place 
while  being  filled  and  to  relieve  the  hoisting  rope  from  the  sudden  shock  of  the  falling  load  a  bar  is  placed  in  the 
shaft,  which  is  held  at  one  end  by  a  bolt  run  through  an  eye  in  the  bar  at  one  end,  and  through  2  stationary  ring 
bolts  fixed  to  the  side  of  the  shaft  nearest  the  station,  while  the  other  end  of  the  bar  is  allowed  to  drop  against 
the  rear  side  of  the  shaft,  the  bar  being  of  such  length  as  to  lay  at  an  angle  to  suit  the  sloping  bottom  of  the  skip. 
In  shafts  that  are  not  provided  with  dump  cars  skips  are  filled  by  shoveling. 

LIGHTING  THE  MINES. — For  lights  caudles,  are  used.  The  trammers  often  prefer  to  use  small  lamps  burning 
fish  oil,  as  they  better  withstand  the  draft.  The  shaft  houses  are  lighted  up  at  night  by  large  headlights  that 
throw  a  strong  light  against  the  gallows  frame  and  upon  the  hoisting  rope. 

VENTILATION. — All  the  different  levels  of  the  mine  are  connected  by  the  shafts  and  winzes,  which  insures  the 
free  circulation  of  air  through  all  its  workings.  In  long  crosscuts  and  drifts  remote  from  the  main  air  currents  the 
air  at  times  becomes  hot  and  vitiated  and  artificial  ventilation  is  necessary.  This  is  usually  accomplished  by  doors, 
which  force  the  air  current  to  take  a  certain  desired  direction,  or  by  wooden  boxes  or  sheet-iron  pipes  so  arranged 
that  the  air  is  compelled  to  pass  through  these  conduits  toward  the  face  of  the  drift.  Where  these  means  fail, 
blowers  or  fans,  in  connection  with  wooden  boxes  or  sheet-iron  pipes,  are  used.  Blowers  for  small  drifts,  upraises, 
or  winzes  are  driven  by  hand  power.  When  a  greater  or  more  constant  volume  of  air  is  needed,  these  fans  or 
blowers  are  driven  by  engines,  worked  by  steam  only  when  the  power  is  applied  on  the  surface.  For  underground 
power  compressed  air  only  is  used.  As  nearly  all  tiro  underground  workings  are  connected  by  the  different  shafts, 
the  natural  ventilation  takes  place  by  upcast  or  downcast  currents,  aided  by  the  different  adit  levels. 

The  main  tunnel  (300  level)  of  the  old  mine  connects  by  winzes  with  all  the  upper  workings  above  that  level, 
and  by  an  interior  shaft,  the  Main  shaft,  with  all  levels  down  to  the  600-foot  level,  and  thence  by  the  Junction 
shaft,  also  an  interior  shaft,  with  the  800  level,  or  Day  tunnel.  The  Day  tunnel  connects  with  the  Washington 
shaft,  and  by  a  branch  drift  with  the  Randol  shaft.  The  Washington  shaft  connects  on  the  1,100  level  by  an 
incline  with  the  1,400-foot  level  of  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft.  The  Santa  Isabel  shaft  connects  on  the  1,400  level 
with  the  Randol  mine,  and  through  upraises  with  the  Saint  George  shaft.  The  1,700-foot  level  of  the  Santa 
Isabel  connects  by  a  long  crosscut  with  the  Randol  shaft,  and  by  an  incline  shaft  the  1,900-foot  level  of  the  Santa 
Isabel  is  also  connected  with  this  crosscut  (1,700).  The  Randol  shaft  connects  through  a  winze  from  the  1,900  level 
with  the  2,100  level,  Buena  Vista.  The  2,100-foot  level  of  the  Buena  Vista  and  Santa  Isabel  are  also  connected. 
The  adit  to  the  Randol  shaft,  or  800  crosscut,  aids  also  in  the  ventilation,  so  also  does  the  adit  or  water  tunnel  on  the 
1,200  level,  Buena  Vista.  The  levels  from  the  different  shafts  are  also  connected  by  numerous  winzes,  and  partly 
also  by  passages  through  some  of  the  old  ore  stopes. 

The  Santa  Isabel  shaft  is  a  downcast  shaft  (collar  728  feet  below  datum),  and  acts  so  at  all  times.  The 
Bueiia  Vista  shaft  is  always  upcast  (collar  885  feet  below  datum),  taking  the  current  of  air  from  the  Santa  Isabel. 
Part  of  this  current  comes  through  the  Buena  Vista  shaft  to  the  surface;  another  part  ascends  through  the 
2,100-foot  incline  into  the  Randol  workings. 

The  Randol  shaft,  426  feet  below  datum,  acts  at  all  times  as  an  upcast  shaft  from  the  bottom  level  (1,800-foot 
level)  to  the  800  adit  or  crosscut.  The  air  current  through  the  800  adit,  or  crosscut,  of  the  Randol  shaft  changes  its 
direction  according  to  the  state  of  the  weather  on  the  surface.  On  cold  days  the  current  rises  in  the  shaft  and  the 
air  comes  in  through  the  crosscut,  while  on  warm  days  the  current  is  reversed. 

The  Randol  shaft  takes  the  air  current  from  the  2,100  level,  Buena  Vista,  as  already  mentioned,  from  the  Santa 
Isabel  through  the  1,700  crosscut  mainly,  and  also  from  the  incline  shaft  connecting  the  1,700  crosscut  with  the 
1,900  level,  Santa  Isabel.  The  Saint  George  shaft,  570  feet  below  datum,  is  an  upcast  shaft,  taking  the  current  from 
the  Randol  shaft  and  partly  from  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft.  The  Washington  shaft,  176  feet  below  datum,  is  an  upcast 


224  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

shaft  in  cold  weather  and  downcast  on  warm  days.  The  air  current  passes  out  of  the  Day  tunnel  on  warm  days, 
and  reverses  on  cold  days.  So  also  acts  the  current  of  air  in  the  incline  connecting  the  1,100  level  of  the  Washington 
si  i  a  ft  with  the  1,400  level,  Santa  Isabel,  being  downcast  on  warm  days  and  upcast  on  cold  days.  These  shafts  and 
tunnels  form  the  main  arteries  for  the  ventilation  of  the  whole  mine. 

TEMPERATURE. 

The  temperature  at  different  points  in  the  mine  is  naturally  much  influenced  by  the  air  currents.  The  1,700 
crosscut  which  connects  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft  with  the  Kaudol  shaft  is  the  coolest  part  of  the  deep  underground 
passages.  It  averages  60°  fahrenheit  in  summer  and  50°  in  winter.  The  highest  temperature  observed  in  any  part 
of  the  mine  was  88.5°  fahrenheit.  Some  observations  gave  the  following  data  (the  degrees  are  fahrenheit) : 

SANTA  ISABEL  SHAFT. — On  December  14,  1888,  the  temperature  at  the  surface  was  55°.  At  the  1,400  station, 
near  shaft,  575  feet  below  surface,  it  was  58°.  In  the  1,400  crosscut  from  this  shaft,  at  a  point  800  feet  distant  from 
the  shaft,  it  was  78°.  At  the  face  of  the  1,400  drift  south  from  the  crosscut,  at  a  distance  of  2,600  feet  from  the  shaft, 
with  ventilation  through  air  boxes  10  by  20  inches  in  section,  the  observed  temperature  was  85°.  It  must  be  noticed 
that  this  observation  was  taken  while  the  drift  was  being  worked,  as  the  temperature  is  much  less  after  only  12  hours 
interruption  of  the  work.  In  the  1,400  level  west  (a  branch  of  the  1,400  crosscut)  and  about  550  feet  distant  from  a 
winze  coming  up  from  the  1,500  level  of  the  Eandol  shaft,  the  drift  being  supplied  witli  air  by  an  11 -inch  pipe,  the 
observed  temperature  was  84°. 

SAINT  GEORGE  SHAFT. — On  December  14, 1888,  the  temperature  at  the  surface  was  55°.  At  the  1,000  level,  near 
station  (386  feet  below  surface),  it  was  76°.  The  Saint  George  shaft  acts  as  an  upcast  shaft.  At  the  1,200  level,  in 
an  upraise  20  feet  above  the  drift,  it  was  82°.  This  observation  was  taken  while  the  upraise  was  being  worked.  The 
point  was  remote  from  shaft  or  Avinze  and  had  no  artificial  ventilation. 

RANDOL  SHAFT. — On  December  13,  1888,  the  temperature  at  the  surface  was  51°,  the  weather  rainy.  At  the 
1,300  station,  near  shaft  (826  feet  below  collar),  the  temperature  was  72°.  At  the  1,300  level,  in  an  upraise  20  feet 
above  the  level  and  1,200  feet  distant  from  the  shaft,  the  temperature  Avas  77°  while  the  upraise  was  worked.  At  the 
1,400  station,  near  shaft  (925  feet  below  collar),  it  was  75°;  at  the  1,400  level,  at  a  point  500  feet  north  from  the  shaft, 
76.5°;  at  the  1,400  level,  at  a  point  800  feet  north  from  the  shaft,  78°,  and  near  the  same  place,  standing  in  the  air 
current,  coming  up  from  a  winze,  the  temperature  was  76°.  At  the  face  of  an  upraise  from  the  last  observation  point, 
and  at  about  30  feet  above  the  level,  the  observed  temperature  reached  86°.  This  upraise  was  then  being  worked. 
At  the  1,500  level,  in  an  upraise  about  1,500  feet  distant  from  the  shaft  and  about  40  feet  above  the  level,  the 
temperature  reached  88.5°  while  the  miners  were  at  work.  On  the  1,600  level,  west  of  the  shaft  about  1,000  feet 
and  in  good  air  current,  the  temperature  was  73°.  At  the  1,600  station,  at  shaft,  it  was  74°  (1,125  feet  below  surface), 
while  the  temperature  on  surface  was  54°. 

For  ventilating  purposes  there  are  on  hand  1  No.  2  and  1  No.  3  Baker  rotary  pressure  blower,  1  Eoot  blower,  and 
1  Blackmann  power  ventilator  and  exhaust  wheel  of  5  feet  diameter.  For  special  purposes  exhaust  fans  are 
constructed  similar  to  the  Guibal  fans  of  old  construction.  One  of  these  fans,  12  feet  in  diameter,  had  been  erected 
at  one  time  over  the  Washington  shaft  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  the  ventilation  011  the  1,400  crosscut  from  the 
Santa  Isabel  shaft,  while  much  carbonic-acid  gas  was  present,  and  very  satisfactory  results  were  obtained  with 
small  cost.  The  fan  was  driven  by  a  small  steam  engine  of  6  horse  power.  All  the  communications  with  the 
Washington  shaft  were  closed  except  the  one  with  the  1,400  crosscut,  Santa  Isabel. 

The  length  of  drifts,  winze,  and  shaft  which  this  current  had  to  pass  through  was :  1,400  crosscut  to  foot  of 
incline,  2,490  feet;  length  of  incline  (235  feet  perpendicular  elevation),  300  feet;  1,100  level,  Washington,  950  feet; 
shaft  to  the  surface,  865  feet;  or  a  total  of  4,605  feet.»  The  air  in  the  1,400  crosscut  was  mixed  with  carbonic-acid  gas 
to  such  an  extent  that  a  lighted  candle  would  go  out  almost  instantly,  and  the  natural  draft  was  insufficient  to  set 
the  column  of  heavy  air  in  motion.  The  12-foot  exhaust  fan  was  started  on  May  23,  1888,  at  noon,  the  fan  making 
40  revolutions  per  minute,  and  at  2  o'clock  the  same  afternoon  the  air  in  the  crosscut  was  found  pure.  The  exhaust 
flue  had  an  area  of  19.125  square  feet  (perimeter  17.5  feet) ;  the  velocity  of  the  exhausted  air,  measured  by  Cassell's 
anemometer,  was  682  feet  per  minute. 

For  ventilating  short  drifts  or  crosscuts  small  ventilating  fans  of  18  inches  diameter  and  8-inch  face  are  used,, 
driven  by  a  6-foot  wheel  moved  by  hand  power.     Boys  are  employed  for  this  purpose.     The  air  is  carried  to  the  face 
of  the  drift  by  8-inch  sheet-iron  pipes. 

DRAINAGE. 

The  water  from  all  underground  workings  below  the  800  level  is  conducted  to  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  where  it  is 
pumped  to  the  adit  or  drain  tunnel,  and  through  this  tunnel  reaches  the  surface.  The  amount  of  water  raised  is 
small  when  the  large  area  of  the  underground  workings  is  taken  into  consideration.  The  part  of  the  mine  controlled 
by  the  liandol  shaft,  from  the  800  level  down  to  the  1,800  level,  is  almost  dry,  and  the  small  quantity  of  water  which 
collects  in  the  sump  is  pumped  out  once  a  week  by  a  hand  pump  and  the  water  conducted  in  a  pipe  through  the  1,800-foot 


QUICKSILVER.  225 

level  toward  a  winze  which  connects  with  the  Buena  Vista  shaft.  The  workings  above  the  800  level  are  drained 
by  the  Day  tunnel  and  the  Randol  crosscut.  From  the  Washington  shaft  the  water  is  drained  by  a  siphon  down 
the  incline  from  the  1, 100-foot  level  into  the  1,400  crosscut  of  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft.  From  the  1.400  station  of  the 
Santa  Isabel  shaft  the  water  is  carried  by  an  inverted  siphon,  made  of  a  4-inch  pipe,  down  the  shaft  to  the  2,100-foot 
level,  and  along  that  level  to  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  and  up  to  a  tank  193  feet  below  the  adit  tunnel,  and  thence 
raised  by  the  pump.  The  water  from  the  lower  workings  of  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft  drains  into  the  Buena  Vista  shaft, 
and  with  the  water  from  other  parts  of  the  Buena  Vista  workings  is  pumped  to  the  surface.  The  Saint  George  shaft 
drains  into  the  Santa  Isabel  workings.  The  Almaden  shaft  is  drained  by  hoisting  the  water  in  buckets. 

BUENA  VISTA  PUMPING  ENGINE. — The  pumping  engine  at  the  Buena  Vista  shaft  is  of  the  compound  direct- 
acting  rotative  type.  The  cylinders  are  placed  directly  over  the  main  beam  or  bob,  and  in  line  with  it.  The  initial 
cylinder  piston  is  connected  by  means  of  rods,  and  slides  to  the  pin  nearest  the  fly  wheel,  the  expansion  cylinder 
piston  being  connected  to  the  beam  in  the  same  manner,  between  the  initial  cylinder  and  the  beam  trunnions.  The ! 
total  lift  is  890  feet,  including  the  sump.  The  pump  work  in  the  shaft  is  on  the  Cornish  system,  and  consists  of  8 
plunger  pumps,  2  of  which  are  placed  at  each  ofTTie~r^fations,  with  a  single  spear  passing  between  them.  In 
addition  to  these  pumps  is  the  one  stationed  193  feet  below  the  adit  tunnel.  The  water  comes  to  this  pump  from 
the  1,400  level  of  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft  through  a  4-inch  pipe  3,000  feet  long  and  discharges  75  gallons  per  minute 
into  the  supply  tank. 

The  pump  stations  are  10  by  18  feet  in  size,  and  situated  at  distances  varying  from  205  to  237  feet  perpendicularly 
above  each  other.  The  tanks  on  these  stations  have  each  a  capacity  of  2,400  gallons.  The  pump  stations  are  at  499 
(193  below  adit),  543,  743,  971,  and  1,171  feet  below  collar  of  shaft.  The  bob  stations  are  384,  634,  and  1,062  feet 
below  collar.  Each  pump  discharges  through  an  8-inch  column  into  station  above.  The  column  is  made  of  8-inch 
lap-welded  wrought-iron  tube,  joined  at  the  ends  by  cast-iron  flanges  fitted  on  the  tube  and  secured  by  expanding 
it  to  fill  the  bore  of  the  flange  tightly  and  in  a  manner  to  prevent  telescoping.  The  spear,  or  pump  rod,  is  of  Oregon 
pine,  1,160  feet  long,  in  sections  of  50  feet.  The  first  600  feet  of  this  rod  are  12  by  12  inches  in  section,  the  remainder 
being  10  by  10  inches.  The  joining  of  the  sections  is  effected  by  butting  the  ends  evenly  and  closely  together  and 
securing  them  in  position  by  placing  wrought-iron  strapping  plates  20  feet  long,  8  inches  wide,  and  1  inch  thick  on 
each  of  the  4  sides  of  the  rod,  the  joint  being  in  the  middle  of  their  length,  and  bolting  through  rods  and  straps  with 
40  1-inch  bolts,  one-half  passing  the  other  at  right  angles.  The  pump  plungers  are  connected  to  pump  rod  by  cast-iron 
brackets  securely  bolted  to  2  opposite  sides  of  the  rod  and  engaging  with  flanges  on  the  ends  of  the  plungers. 
To  provide  agairst  lateral  motion  of  the  rods  they  are  stayed  at  each  50  feet  of  their  length  by  inclosing  them  in 
wooden  guides,  the  rod  at  such  places  being  lined  with  oak  boards  secured  by  iron  clamps.  The  balance  bobs  are 
3  in  number,  made  of  cast  iron,  with  wrought-iron  tension  straps.  They  are  each  connected  to  the  pump  rod  by 
wrought-iron  links  or  connecting  rods  15  feet  in  length,  with  brass  journal  boxes  and  straps  on  each  end.  They  are 
hung  from  2  wrought-iron  pins  in  nose  of  the  bob,  the  lower  end  engaging  with  pins  in  2  cast-iron  brackets 
bolted  to  2  opposite  sides  of  the  pump  rod.  The  bob  stations  are  30  feet  long,  12  feet  wide,  and  18  feet  high,  secured 
by  14  by  14  inch  timbers;  so  also  are  the  pump  stations.  The  first  is  383  feet  from  the  surface,  the  second  250 
below  the  first,  and  the  third  428  feet  below  the  second.  A  9-inch  lift  pump  is  used  to  raise  water  from  the  sump 
to  the  plunger  pumps  on  the  2,100-foot  level,  the  difference  in  capacity  between  the  2  8-inch  pumps  and  the  lift  pump 
being  supplied  by  the  flow  of  water  in  the  2,100  level,  which  also  receives  any  excess  over  75  gallons  per  minute  from 
1,400  level  at  Santa  Isabel  shaft. 

The  pumps  described  raise  315  gallons  per  minute,  making  8  double  strokes  in  that  time.  It  would  be  360 
gallons  per  minute  if  the  supply  pipe  to  pump  taking  water  from  1,400  Santa  Isabel  shaft  was  large  enough  to  admit 
of  a  supply  of  120  gallons  per  minute,  which  is  the  amount  required  to  supply  that  pump  at  8  strokes  per  minute.  The 
.stroke  of  the  pump  is  6  feet. 

The  pump  rod  is  actuated,  as  already  mentioned,  by  an  under-beam  compound  condensing  steam  engine  with 
Scott  &  O'Neil  balanced  puppet  valve  and  cut-off  motion.  The  cylinders  are  placed  side  by  side  on  a  heavy  bed 
plate,  and  to  the  bottom  of  this  are  bolted  the  guide  plates  for  the  crossheads.  The  cylinder  of  the  high-pressure 
engine  is  21  inches  in  diameter  and  has  a  stroke  of  96  inches.  The  expansion  cylinder  is  47  inches  in  diameter, 
stroke  70  inches.  The  connecting  rods  of  each  engine  are  connected  directly  to  one  end  of  the  beam  and  pump  rod 
to  the  other  end.  The  initial  engine,  being  on  the  outside,  has  a  longer  stroke  and  greater  piston  speed  than  the 
expansion  engine,  which  is  placed  nearer  the  center  of  the  beam.  The  beam  is  made  of  cast  iron,  the  arms  of  which 
are  securely  tied  by  wrought-iron  straps  10  by  2  inches  in  section.  The  main  connecting  rod  connects  an  angle 
arm  of  the  beam  to  a  wrought-iron  crank  and  shaft,  on  which  is  placed  a  fly  wheel  24  feet  in  diameter,  weighing  50,000 
pounds.  The  valve  motion  is  derived  from  a  shaft  running  at  right  angles  to  the  crank  shaft  and  operated  by  a 
miter  wheel. 

The  air  pump  and  condenser  are  of  a  special  kind  on  account  of  the  small  quantity  of  water  available.     The 

condensation  water  falls  from  the  condenser  through  an  8-inch  pipe  to  a  tank  placed  35  feet  below  it.    The  end  of 

the  pipe  is  3  feet  below  the  water  surface  in  the  tank,  sealing  it  against  the  atmosphere.    A  small  independent 

bucket-aud-plunger  pump  maintains  the  vacuum  in  condenser.     The  condensation  water  flows  from  the  tank 

35  M 15 


226  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

receiving  it  through  a  flume  1,850  feet  long  and  2  feet  wide,  passing  in  its  circuit  through  a  pond  25  by  50  feet, 
and  discharging  into  a  tank  a  few  feet  from  and  about  G  feet  lower  than  the  first  tank.  A  pump  placed  in  the  shaft 
at  this  point  raises  the  water,  discharging  it  into  a  tank  on  the  surface,  when  it  again  passes  through  the  condenser, 
it  having  been  sufficiently  cooled  in  its  circuit  through  flume  and  pond,  the  cooling  surface  of  which  is  nearly  5,000 
square  feet.  The  engine  is  also  provided  with  an  automatic  stop,  which  throws  the  valves  out  of  connection  and 
instantly  stops  its  motion  if  through  any  accident  it  should  be  relieved  of  all  or  any  considerable  part  of  its  load. 

The  foundation  is  built  of  hewn  sandstone,  with  cap  stones  of  granite.  The  pump  work  is  handled,  when 
necessary,  by  a  double-cylinder  horizontal  geared  hoist,  set  on  stone  and  granite  foundation. 

The  cylinders  are  12  inches  in  diameter,  with  stroke  of  24  inches.  The  reel  and  spur  wheel  are  bolted  together 
and  keyed  on  same  shaft.  The  spur  wheel  is  12  feet  linch  in  diameter,  with  V-shaped  teeth,  3.25-inch  pitch,  and 
12-inch  face  and  gears,  with  a  pinion  2  feet  in  diameter  on  crank  shaft  of  engine.  The  reel  is  3  feet  in  diameter, 
and  constructed  for  winding  flat  rope.  The  engine  is  fitted  with  a  closed  link  and  reversing  lever,  Corliss  throttle 
valves,  and  a  powerful  Eckhardt  stand  brake,  applied  on  engine  fly  wheel.  The  rope  used  is  flat  crucible  steel  wire 
rope  4.5  by  0.5  inch,  2,000  feet  of  which  can  be  wound  on  the  reel  if  desired.  The  rope  in  use  is  about  1,600  feet  long. 

SANTA  ISABEL  PUMPING  WORKS. — The  pumping  plant  at  Santa  Isabel  shaft  consists  of  G  G.5-inch  plunger 
pumps  and  4  6-inch  pumps,  all  having  a  stroke  of  5  feet. 

Of  the  6.5-inch  pumps  2  are  placed  at  the  1,700, 1,400,  and  1,000  foot  levels;  of  the  6-iiich  pumps  2  are  placed  at 
the  1,900  and  2,000  foot  levels.  They  are  actuated  by  2  pine  rods  6  by  8  inches  in  section,  1,230  feet  long,  in  50-foot 
sections,  and  connected  in  the  same  manner  as  those  at  Buena  Vista  shaft.  They  are  connected  to  2  right-angle 
bobs  on  the  surface,  arranged  so  that  one  rod  is  ascending  while  the  other  is  descending.  In  this  way  one  rod 
balances  the  other,  and  as  the  water  flows  through  the  column  on  both  up  and  down  stroke,  1  discharge  column  only 
for  the  2  pumps  is  required.  There  is  1  balance  bob  attached  to  each  rod  to  relieve  the  surface  bobs  of  some  of  the 
weight  of  the  pump  rods.  The  column  is  made  of  6-inch  lap-welded  wrought-iron  tube,  connected  by  threaded 
ends  and  screwed  into  connecting  sleeves.  Part  of  the  column,  however,  is  connected  by  cast-iron  flanges. 

This  pump  work  is  operated  by  a  compound  condensing  engine,  the  high-pressure  cylinder  being  within  and 
concentric  with  the  low-pressure  cylinder,  the  piston  of  which  is  an  annular  ring  42  inches  in  diameter  outside  and 
26  inches  inside.  The  high-pressure  cylinder  is  steam  jacketed,  10  inches  in  diameter,  with  stroke  of  5  feet.  The 
steam  distribution  is  effected  by  a  double-ported  slide  valve  controlled  by  Davey  differential  valve  gear.  The  air 
pump  is  driven  by  an  extension  of  the  high-pressure  piston  rod.  It  is  9  inches  in  diameter,  5-foot  stroke,  and  is 
situated  directly  behind  the  steam  cylinders.  The  engine  frame  is  extended  to  connect  with  sole  plates  carrying 
the  bobs  operating  the  pump  rods.  They  are  of  cast  iron,  with  tension  straps  of  wrought  iron.  The  pit  work  is 
handled,  when  required,  by  a  capstan  situated  near  the  shaft  house. 

A  third  pumping  plant,  not  now  erected,  consists  of  a  horizontal  noncondensing  engine,  having  on  the  crank 
shaft  a  pinion  gearing  with  a  Spur  wheel,  on  the  shaft  of  which  is  keyed  a  disk  with  wrist  pin.  The  disk  has  in  its 
face  4  holes  at  varying  distances  from  its  center,  into  any  one  of  which  the  wrist  pin  may  be  put,  giving  a  stroke 
varying  from  2.5  to  4.5  feet.  This  wrist  pin  is  connected  by  a  wooden  connecting  rod  strapped  with  iron  to  an  angle 
bob  to  which  pump  rod  is  attached.  The  bob  is  constructed  of  wood,  with  iron  straps,  and  fitted  with  a  balance 
box,  wherein  weights  may  be  placed  to  equalize  load  on  the  engine.  The  gear  wheels  are  2.375-inch  pitch  and  9-inch 
face ;  ratio  between  pinion  and  spur  wheel  as  1  to  7. 

The  pumps  in  the  shaft  are  to  have  6-inch  plungers,  the  stroke  varying  with  the  position  of  the  wrist  pin  in  the 
disk  or  crank  plate  operating  the  angle  bob.  The  spear  rod  is  6  inches  square,  to  which  the  plungers  are  secured 
in  a  different  manner  from  those  described  at  the  Buena  Vista  shaft. 

The  plunger  is  of  iron,  cast  hollow,  and  about  1  inch  in  thickness.  A  suitable  piece  of  timber,  considerably 
longer  than  the  plunger,  is  made  to  fit  tightly  inside  of  the  hollow  tube,  and  after  being  driven  in  is  tightly  wedged 
in  place.  The  timber  projecting  beyond  the  plunger  is  square  in  section  and  clamped  to  the  pump  rod,  a  distance 
piece  being  introduced  between  them  to  bring  the  plunger  to  the  desired  distance  from  the  rod.  There  are  2  plunger 
pumps  and  1  lift  pump  still  remaining  as  part  of  the  pit  work,  operated  by  the  machinery  just  described,  the  capacity 
of  which  is  50  to  60  gallons  per  minute  from  a  depth  of  1,000  feet;  speed  in  shaft,  from  3  to  12  strokes  per  minute. 

The  Santa  Isabel  pumps  will  discharge  170  gallons  per  minute  from  a  depth  of  1,500  feet;  speed  in  the  shaft, 
from  1  to  10  strokes  per  minute. 

The  Buena  Vista  pumps  will  discharge  315  gallons  per  minute  from  a  depth  of  1,800  feet;  speed,  from  2.5  to  8 
strokes  per  minute.  The  average  speed  at  Buena  Vista  pump  works  at  present  is  about  4  strokes  per  minute. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  pumping  machinery  there  are  available  for  mine  drainage  4  steam  pumps,  2  of  which 
are  of  a  capacity  of  80  gallons  per  minute,  1  of  40  gallons,  and  1  of  50  gallons  capacity;  also  2  bailing  tanks,  holding 
500  gallons  each,  and  2  other  tanks,  each  carrying  120  gallons. 

HOISTING  WORKS. 

BUENA  VISTA  SHAFT. — The  hoisting  machinery  at  the  Bueua  Vista  shaft  consists  of  2  horizontal  noncondensing 
engines,  with  balanced  puppet  valves  with  O'Neil  cut-off  motion,  reversing  link,  and  Corliss  throttle  valves. 

The  engines  are  connected  by  and  act  on  the  same  crank  shaft.    2  reels,  to  which  brake  wheels,  10  feet  in 


QUICKSILVER  227 

diameter  and  8-inch  face,  are  attached,  are  placed  on  the  crank  shaft,  and  are  free  to  revolve  in  either  direction  and 
independent  of  each  other.  They  may  be  made  to  revolve  with  the  shaft  by  throwing-  into  gear  2  clutches  sliding 
on  the  shaft  (it  being  square  iii  section  at  these  places)  and  revolving  with  it.  The  reels  may  be  used  singly  or 
together,  and  by  winding  the  ropes  on  the  reels  in  opposite  directions  one  may  be  made  to  hoist  while  the  other 
lowers,  using  the  descending  cage  and  rope  as  a  counterweight.  Flat  steel  wire  rope  is  used,  3.5  inches  wide  and 
three-eighths  of  an  inch  thick.  The  length  is  1,000  feet.  Each  reel  is  provided  with  a  powerful  Eckhardt  brake, 
operated  by  the  foot.  An  iron  brake  strap  lined  with  wood  is  also  employed,  acting  on  the  crank  disks,  which  are  8 
feet  10  inches  in  diameter  and  6-mch  face.  This  brake  acts  on  the  engine,  or  either  reel  or  both,  if  the  clutches  on 
the  shaft  are  engaged  with  them. 

A  Behr  spiral  indicator  shows  position  of  cages  in  the  shaft.  This  indicator  consists  of  a  drum  39  inches  in. 
diameter,  4  feet  6  inches  long,  revolving  with  its  axis  vertical  behind  a  pointer,  to  which  a  vertical  motion  of  2.375 
inches  for  each  revolution  of  the  drum  is  communicated  by  an  upright  screw,  revolving  by  the  side  of  the  drum. 
The  vertical  motion  of  the  pointer,  combined  with  the  circular  motion  of  the  drum,  traces  a  spiral  line  on  its 
surface,  the  length  of  which  is  about  one-tenth  of  the  depth  of  the  shaft.  On  this  line  are  placed  brass  plates  showing 
the  different  stations  and  the  number  of  bells  constituting  the  signals  for  the  stations. 

A  second  pointer,  moving  against  a  stationary  index  board,  is  also  provided.  This  is  always  in  the  engineer's 
sight  and  lessens  the  liability  of  his  confusion  by  reason  of  the  revolving  drum  carrying  the  station  marks  out  of  his 
sight  during  the  greater  part  of  its  revolution. 

These  indicators  are  driven  by  gear  wheels,  one  on  each  reel  and  in  permanent  connection  with  it.  The  2  reels 
are  set  opposite  the  2  hoisting  compartments  in  the  shaft  and  are  situated  50  feet  6  inches  from  it.  On  the  platform 
from  which  the  engine  is  handled  there  are  5  levers,  1  for  throttle  valves,  1  for  reversing  the  engine,  1  for 
adjusting  the  cut-off,  and  2  for  operating  clutches.  The  3  pedals  for  operating  the  brakes  are  side  by  side,  and  they, 
with  the  first  3  levers,  are  within  reach  of  the  engineer  without  changing  his  position.  The  foundation  is  built  of 
sandstone,  with  granite  cap  stones.  The  gallows  frame  consists  of  2  perpendicular  frames  of  18-inch  timbers,  1  at 
each  end  of  the  shaft,  45  feet  high,  standing  on  sills  55  feet  long.  The  frame  is  18  feet  wide,  from  outside  to  outside, 
and  stiffened  by  horizontal  beams  and  braces.  Each  frame  is  secured  against  the  thrust  by  inclined  beams  16  by  20 
inches  thick,  and  50  feet  9  inches  long.  The  2  frames  stand  32  feet  6  inches  apart,  from  outside  to  outside,  and  are 
connected  by  bridged  trusses  of  18-inch  square  timbers,  supported  by  struts  12  by  18  inches.  The  horizontal  beams 
on  top  and  crossing  from  one  frame  to  the  other  are  18  by  24  inches.  The  sheaves  are  carried  on  14-inch  timbers, 
2  on  top  of  each  other  at  each  side  of  the  sheaves. 

The  overhead  pulleys  or  sheaves  are  9  feet  in  diameter  (center  48  feet  above  floor),  with  rims  of  cast  iron  and 
wrought-iroii  arms.  The  speed  of  hoisting  is  from  1,000  to  1,200  feet  per  minute  in  the  shaft.  The  load,  including 
1,000  feet  of  rope,  is  9,000  pounds. 

Each  compartment  of  the  shaft  has  a  separate  bell  for  signaling.  The  bell  cord  is  of  three-eighths  inch 
galvanized  twisted  iron-wire  rope,  and  can  be  reached  from  the  cage  in  any  position  in  the  shaft. 

The  boilers  at  this  shaft  are  0  in  number,  set  in  pairs  over  1  furnace.  They  are  each  54  inches  in  diameter  and 
1C  feet  long,  with  40  3.5-iuch  tubes.  Each  pair  is  connected  by  1  mud  drum  and  2  steam  drums.  A  6-inch  safety 
valve  is  placed  on  each  steam  drum,  2  of  which  are  also  fitted  with  Crosby  adjustable  safety  pop  valves.  The  main 
steam  pipe  is  10  inches  in  diameter,  with  6-inch  branches  to  the  hoisting  engine  and  pumping  engine. 

SANTA  ISABEL  SHAFT. — The  hoisting  machinery  at  Santa  -Isabel  shaft  is  a  single  horizontal  high-pressure 
engine,  cylinder  16  inches  in  diameter,  stroke  36  inches,  with  balanced  slide  valve  and  reversing  link. 

On  the  crank  shaft  are  2  pinions,  free  to  revolve  on  it,  and  2  clutches  revolving  with  it,  the  latter  sliding  on  2 
feathers  to  engage  with  either  or  both  of  the  pinions.  There  are  2  reels,  1  for  each  hoisting  compartment  in  the  shaft, 
each  10  feet  in  diameter  and  20  inches  wide,  having  a  spur  wheel  and  brake  rim  cast  on  one  side,  the  spur  wheels 
gearing  with  pinions  on  the  shaft.  The  wheels  are  11  feet  in  diameter,  pitch  of  teeth  3  inches,  and  8-inch  face, 
liatio  of  wheel  to  pinion  is  as  4.5  to  1.  Round  steel- wire  ropes  1.125  inches  in  diameter  are  wound  on  the  2  reels, 
and  in  opposite  directions  to  admit  of  hoisting  with  balanced  load.  2  dial  indicators  show  position  of  cage  in  the 
shaft,  the  index  pointer  traveling  about  10  inches  for  every  100  feet  traveled  by  the  cage  in  the  shaft.  Each  reel 
is  provided  with  a  stand  brake,  the  shoes  of  which  are  lined  with  sugar  pine.  A  powerful  iron  baud  brake  is  also 
applied  on  the  engine  fly  wheel.  The  3  brakes  are  operated  by  the  foot  and  one  of  them  is  so  arranged  that  hydraulic 
power  can  be  applied  to  it.  The  one  last  referred  to  is  on  the  reel  working  opposite  the  middle  compartment  in  the 
shaft,  it  being  the  one  used  when  sinking  is  done  in  the  shaft.  The  gallows  frame  is  32  feet  in  height,  built  of  14  by 
14  inch  timber  in  the  form  of  a  truncated  pyramid  30  feet  square  at  the  base  and  18  by  15  feet  at  the  top.  Overhead 
pulleys  are  9.5  feet  in  diameter,  the  rim  grooved  for  rope  of  3.5  inches  in  circumference. 

The  machinery  is  set  in  a  massive  foundation  of  artificial  stone,  the  center  of  reels  being  48  feet  from  the  shaft. 
The  boilers  are  4  in  number,  set  in  pairs,  2  having  separate  furnaces  and  2  being  set  over  one  furnace.  The  latter 
are  connected  by  1  mud  drum  and  1  steam  drum,  the  former  by  1  mud  drum,  but  having  separate  steam  drums. 
Of  this  pair,  each  is  56  inches  in  diameter  and  16  feet  long,  with  48  3.5-iuch  tubes.  The  other  pair  is  built  of  steel, 


228  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

each  54  inches  in  diameter,  16  feet  long,  and  having  46  3.5-inch  tubes.     A  4-inch  safety  valve  is-  fitted;  to»  eaeh  steam 
drum.     The  boiler  feed  water  is  heated  by  exhaust  steam  to  the  boiling  point  before  entering  the-  boifei-. 

The  hoisting  speed  at  this  shaft  is  from  600  to  800  feet  per  minute.  The  load,  including  1,000'  feet  of  rope-,  is.  aboitt 
6,700  pounds. 

EANDOL  SHAFT. — The  hoisting  gear  at  the  Randol  shaft  consists  of  a  high-pressure  horizontal  engine*,,  cylinder 
16.5  inches  in  diameter,  the  stroke  being  30  inches. 

1  reel,  9  feet  in  diameter,  25-inch  face,  is  keyed  on  the  spur-wheel  shaft,  the  spur  wheel  beiingr  driven  by  a 
pinion  on  the  crank  shaft.  These  wheels  have  V-shaped  teeth,  3-inch  pitch  and  10-inch  face,,  ratio-  about  4j>  to  1. 

The  pointer  on  the  indicator  has  a  vertical  motion  of  3.25  inches  to  100  feet  in  the  shaft,  the  direction  of  its-  niotMHi 
being  the  same  as  that  of  the  cage  in  the  shaft.  It  is  operated  by  a  vertical  screw  driven  by  bevel  gears^,  which 
derive  their  motion  from  reel  shaft.  The  reel  is  fitted  with  a  stand  brake,  which  is  applied  by  releasing  a  weight 
acting  on  a  lever,  drawing  the  brake  block  together  and  against  the  reel.  A  foot  brake  is  also  applied  to  the  fly 
wheel  of  the  engine. 

The  speed  of  hoisting  is  from  500  to  600  feet  per  minute.  The  load  is  the  same  as-  at  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft. 
A  round  steel-wire  rope  is  used,  3.5  inches  in  circumference  (1.125  inches  in  diameter).  The  gallo-ws-  frame  is- 2.8 feet 
high,  built  of  12  by  12  inch  timber,  of  the  truncated  pyramid  style,  24  feet  square  at  the  base  and  11  feet  at  the 
top.  The  overhead  pulley  is  8.5  feet  in  diameter. 

3  boilers  set  singly  furnish  steam  for  this  engine,  2  of  which  are  used  at  one  time :  1  56  imcine*  by  16  feetr  with 
48  3.5-inch  tubes;  1  52  inches  by  16  feet,  with  54  3-iiich  tubes;  1  54  inches  by  16  feet,  witl  4®  3v5-meh  tubes. 
Each  boiler  has  1  steam  drum,  2  have  4-inch  safety  valves  and  1  a  5-inch  safety  valve.  The  feed!  water  for  boilers 
passes  through  a  heater,  through  which  exhaust  steam  passes,  and  is  raised  to  a  temperature  &£' ©>ver  200°. 

The  record  of  hoisting  at  the  Kaiidol  shaft  gives  the  number  of  skip  loads  of  rock  and  ore  diuriiag  the  last  4  years 
as  follows : 

1886 37,371 

1887 -- 40,862 

1888 41,791 

1889 45, 9M 

In  1880  the  average  number  of  skip  loads  hoisted  each  working  day  was  184,  or  276  tons,  exclusive  of  the  number 
of  trips  made  with  men,  timber,  etc. 

WASHINGTON  SHAFT. — The  hoisting  machinery  at  the  Washington  shaft  has  2  reels,  6  feet  6  inches  in  diameter, 
24-inch  face,  one  opposite  each  of  the  2  hoisting  compartments  in  the  shaft.  They  are  both  placed  on  the  same 
shaft,  one  being  free  to  revolve  and  the  other  keyed.  The  latter  is  in  permanent  connection  with  the  engine, 
connecting  spur  wheel  and  pinion  being  in  a  ratio  of  about  5.5  to  1,  the  teeth  2.375-inch  pitch,  6-inch  face.  The  former 
is  made  to  revolve  with  the  reel  shaft  by  throwing  into  gear  a  clutch  sliding  upon  2  feathers  and  revolving  with  it. 
Round  steel- wire  rope  3.5  inches  in  circumference  is  used  and  wound  on  the  reels,  1  passing  over  and  1  passing  under. 
The  reels  are  driven  by  a  pinion  on  the  crank  shaft  of  a  horizontal  slide-valve  engine,  12-inch  cylinder  with  24-inch 
stroke.  A  speed  of  400  feet  per  minute  in  the  shaft  is  attained.  The  load,  when  skip  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  shaft, 
is  4,500  pounds.  The  indicator  is  the  same  as  that  at  the  Randol  shaft.  This  machinery  is  situated  (JO  feet  from 
the  shaft  and  set  on  a  foundation  of  timber.  There  are  2  boilers,  each  56  inches  in  diameter,  16  feet  long,  with  48 
3.5-inch  tubes. 

The  gallows  frame  consists  of  2  perpendicular  upright  beams  16  by  20  inches  in  section,  43  feet  4  inches  high, 
standing  on  16  by  18  inch  sills  56  feet  long,  and  braced  in  the  line  of  thrust  by  inclined  beams  16  by  18  inches,  56 
feet  long.  The  2  uprights,  1  at  each  side  of  the  shaft,  stand  20  feet  apart  and  are  trussed  at  the  height  of  28  feet  by 
a  horizontal  timber  18  by  20  inches,  supported  by  short  braces  or  struts  of  9  by  20  inches.  Across  the  tops  of  the 
uprights  and  connecting  both  is  another  horizontal  beam  18  by  20  inches.  Perpendicular  posts  12  by  20  inches  are 
framed  between  the  2  horizontal  beams  and  carry  the  sheaves,  the  shafts  of  which  are  35  feet  6  inches  above  the 
floor  of  the  shaft  house.  The  sheaves  are  8.5  feet  in  diameter. 

The  2  hoisting  machines  for  prospect  shafts  as  used  at  the  Almaden  and  Saint  George  (now  at  San  Francisco) 
have  each  2  steam  cylinders  6  inches  in  diameter,  with  a  stroke  of  12  inches.  A  reel,  supported  by  brackets  cast  on 
engine  frames,  is  fitted  to  each.  They  are  20  inches  in  diameter,  10.5-inch  face.  A  spur  gear  is  cast  on  the  side  and 
is  driven  by  a  pinion  on  crank  shaft  of  the  engine.  The  ratio  is  4  to  1 ;  pitch  of  teeth,  1.5  inches,  3.5-inch  face.  The 
load,  including  500  feet  of  wire  rope  five-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  is  2,000  pounds,  and  is  raised  at  a  speed  of 
300  feet  per  minute.  A  foot  brake  is  applied  on  the  reel. 

The  upright  boilers  supplying  steam  to  these  engines  are  42  inches  in  diameter  and  8  feet  high,  each  having 
99  2-inch  tubes.  They  stand  on  cast-iron  base  plates  10  inches  high,  forming  the  ash  pit,  and  have  brackets  carrying 
the  boiler  feed  pumps.  Each  boiler  has  a  steam  drum  and  a  2-inch  safety  valve. 

The  gallows  frames  are  of  the  truncated  pyramid  style,  overhead  pulleys  36  inches  in  diameter. 


QUICKSILVER.  229 

THE   ENGINEERS. 

The  engineers  at  the  several  shafts  work  in  2  shifts  of  12  hours  each.  The  cages  or  skips  are  put  in  motion 
in  answer  to  the  signals  given  by  gongs  that  are  connected  with  the  different  stations  of  the  shafts  by  wire  rope 
made  of  galvanized  coarse  iron  wire,  twisted,  three-eighths  inch  diameter,  and  attached  at  each  station  to  an  iron 
lever.  The  general  signals  are :  1  bell  for  "  hoist"  or  u  stop  " ;  2  bells  for  "  lower  down  ".  Other  signals  are  agreed  upon 
as  circumstances  require.  The  engineers  attend  to  the  brakes.  Where  2  reels  are  employed,  hoisting  with  balanced 
cages  or  «kips  is  invariably  the  rule,  and  with  single  reels  when  lowering  the  skip  the  engine  is  reversed  and  the 
spec*1  of  the  descent  is  regulated  partly  by  means  of  the  fly-wheel  brake  and  partly  by  putting  the  reversing  link  in 
position  for  hoisting,  the  throttle  valve  of  course  being  closed. 

When  raising  or  lowering  men  1  cage  only  is  used,  the  other  reel,  if  there  are  2,  being  then  held  by  the  reel  brake. 
The  speed  of  the  cage  in  the  shaft  is  then  from  300  to  400  feet  per  minute,  and  its  descent  is  regulated  in  the  same 
manner  as  in  the  single-reel  hoist,  by  fly-wheel  brake  and  reverse  bar,  the  operating  reel  being  invariably  in  connection 
with  engine  when  men  are  in  the  shaft. 

The  boilers  are  cleaned  regularly  at  intervals  of  from  2  to  4  weeks,  according  to  the  amount  and  kind  of  water 
used.  The  water  is  supplied  from  3  sources,  one  of  which  supplies  a  limited  amount  of  very  pure  water,  that  forms 
little  or  no  scale  in  the  boilers  in  which  it  is  used.  The  water  obtained  from  the  other  sources  forms  a  very  hard 
scale,  which  necessitates  the  use  of  boiler-cleaning  compounds,  besides  a  liberal  use  of  the  scaling  hammer,  to  keep 
the  boilers  in  good  condition.  Every  boiler  has  a  manhole  in  front,  below  the  tubes,  through  which  access  is  gained 
to  the  sheets  immediately  over  'the  furnace,  which  are  thus  kept  thoroughly  clean.  The  vertical  tubular  boilers, 
sbediig  inaccessible  on  the  inside,  require  to  have  the  tubes  removed  about  every  2  years,  when  they  are  thoroughly 
^cleaned  ,aitd  the  tubes  replaced. 

HORSE   WHIMS   AND   WINDLASSES. 

For  fwospect  shafts  there  are  also,  for  hoisting,  2  horse  whims.  The  reel  is  7  feet  diameter,  10-inch  face,  and 
revolves  on  a  3-inch  shaft  with  vertical  axis.  The  sweep  rod  can  be  thrown  in  or  out  of  gear  at  will,  as  the 
bucket  is  required  to  ascend  or  descend.  An  iron  strap  brake  is  applied  to  regulate  the  descent  of  the  bucket,  the 
sweep  nod  being  then  «it  -of  gear.  A  half-inch  steel  wire  rope  is  used.  The  load  is  about  300  pounds,  and  moves 
tiiMxugh  tlie  shaft  at  about  7*0  feet  per  minute. 

Tine  windlasses  u«ed  for  prospect  work  have  a  wooden  reel  6  inches  in  diameter  and  4  feet  long,  with  wrought-iron 
mink  kandl.es  inserted  in  the  ends,  wliich  are  strengthened  by  iron  rings  being  driven  on  them,  the  axles  being 
formed  by  a  part  of  the  <crank  handles  projecting  from  the  ends  of  the  reel  in  a  direction  parallel  with  its  axis.  2 
upright  pieces,  generally  of  1.5  by  12  inch  pine  board  set  in  a  mortise  cut  iii  a  6  by  6  inch  cross-timber,  support 
the  reel,  .and  are  connected  by  a  plank,  the  ends  of  which  rest  upon  and  are  spiked  to  the  upright  pieces.  On  the 
top  of  this  board  is  a  wooden  bar,  sliding  in  guides,  which  is  drawn  out  far  enough  to  catch  the  handles  and  prevent 
the  reel  from  revolving  when  it  is  required  to  hold  the  bucket  and  keep  it  in  position  desired.  When  lowering  the 
bucket  a  brake  is  applied  on  the  reel,  and  consists  of  a  rope,  one  end  of  which  is  made  fast  to  the  crosspiece  and  a 
turn  taken  around  the  reel  in  the  direction  of  its  motion  when  lowering.  The  loose  end  is  then  drawn  tight,  as  may 
foe  required  to  command  the  descent  of  the  bucket.  2  buckets  are  sometimes  used,  the  rope  having  a  number  of 
turns  on  the  reel,  with  2  free  ends.  To  these  ends  the  buckets  are  attached  and  assist  in  balancing  each  other.  As 
the  depth  of  the  shaft  increases  a  turn  is  taken  off  the  reel,  adding  to  the  length  of  the  free  ends.  The  load  is 
afooiit  100  pounds.  3-inch  hemp  rope  is  used.  100  feet  can  be  sunk  in  this  way. 

AIR   COMPRESSORS. 

To  supply  compressed  air  for  operating  machine  drills,  pumps,  and  other  machinery  in  the  mine  there  are  2  air 
compressors  erected  in  the  Santa  Isabel  shaft  house :  1  Burleigh  air  compressor,  with  steam  cylinder  of  18  inches 
diameter  and  24-inch  stroke,  the  air  cylinder  of  24  inches  diameter  and  20-inch  stroke,  discharging  into  receiver  54 
inches  in  diameter,  12  feet  6  inches  high ;  1  Clayton  air  compressor,  with  2  steam  cylinders,  each  14  inches  in  diameter, 
and  2  air  cylinders  of  12  inches  diameter,  all  of  9  inches  stroke.  The  air  cylinders  are  double  acting.  The  receiver 
is  36  inches  in  diameter  and  9  feet  long.  Another  Burleigh  air  compressor,  with  steam  cylinder  of  15  inches  diameter 
and  18  inches  stroke,  and  air  cylinder  of  15  inches  diameter  and  15  inches  stroke,  discharging  into  an  air  receiver  48 
inches  in  diameter,  10  feet  6  inches  high,  is  on  hand,  having  been  in  use  at  the  Washington  and  Buena  Vista  shafts. 

MACHINE   DRILLS. 

The  rock  drills,  11  in  number,  are  as  follows :  2  3.5-inch  Ingersoll  Eclipse  drills,  1  3.5-inch  Ingersoll  tappet  drill, 
4  3-iiich  Ingersoll  Eclipse  drills,  1  3-inch  Ingersoll  tappet  drill,  2  3-inch  National  drills,  and  1  2.5-inch  Ingersoll  tappet 
drill. 

VENTILATION. 

For  ventilation  there  is  1  Baker  blower  of  a  capacity  of  1,500  cubic  feet  per  minute,  and  1  Baker  of  a  capacity  of 
1,000  cubic  feet;  1  Root  blower,  capacity  800  cubic  feet  per  minute,  and  1  48-inch  Blackinaun  exhaust  ventilator. 


230 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


SHAFT  HOUSES. 

BUENA  VISTA  SHAFT. — The  shaft  house  at  Buena  Vista  contains  hoisting-engine  room,  45  .feet  wide  and  100 
feet  long;  pump-engine  room,  45  by  45  feet;  boiler  room,  45  by  55  feet,  the  whole  forming  a  rectangular  frame  building 
90  feet  wide  and  100  feet  in  length.  Fire  protection  is  afforded  by  4  hydrants  (2-inch),  fed  by  a  supply  tank 
containing  15,000  gallons.  The  pressure  of  water  is  70  pounds  per  square  inch.  Adjoining  the  boiler  room  there  is 
an  excavation  in  which  700  tons  of  coal  can  be  stored.  Situated  near  the  shaft  house  is  the  blacksmith  shop,  4(3 
by  26  feet,  a  part  of  which,  18  by  12  feet,  is  inclosed  and  used  as  a  drying  and  changing  room  for  the  miners. 

SANTA  ISABEL  SHAFT. — The  Santa  Isabel  engine  house  is  90  by  40  feet.  Connecting  with  it  at  right  angles  is 
the  boiler  room,  60  by  40  feet.  Adjoining  the  main  building  is  the  miners'  changing  room,  21  by  12  feet  in  extent. 
The  blacksmith  shop,  about  100  feet  from  shaft  house,  is  40  by  20  feet  in  dimensions.  4  2-inch  hydrants  are  placed 
around  the  building,  having  a  water  pressure  of  50  pounds  per  square  inch.  Supply  tank  contains  15,000  gallons. 
The  shed  provided  for  coal  storage  will  hold  400  tons. 

B.ANDOL  SHAFT. — The  works  at  the  B-andol  shaft  are  contained  in  an  irregular  building,  whose  greatest  length 
is  80  feet  and  greatest  width  50  feet,  the  boiler  room  being  40  by  32  feet.  The  changing  and  drying  room  for  the  use 
of  the  miners,  19  by  18  feet,  is  provided  with  2  steam  heaters.  Placed  adjacent  to  the  shaft  house  are  the  carpenter, 
blacksmith,  and  machine  shops.  The  carpenter  shop  is  24  by  40  feet  in  size.  The  blacksmith  shop  is  25  by  50  feet, 
and  has  4  forges.  Blast  is  supplied  by  a  No.  3  Anderton  blower.  All  of  the  forges  are  worked  by  day,  and  1  by  night. 
The  drills  dressed  average  about  1,000  every  day  at  this  shop.  The  kind  of  steel  used  for  drills  is  1-inch  octagon  black- 
diamond.  The  machine  shop  adjoins  the  blacksmith  shop,  and  is  16  by  35  feet  in  size.  It  contains  1  Putnam  lathe, 
12-inch  centers;  1  power  drilling  machine,  1  Wiley  &  Eussell  bolt-cutting  machine,  1  milling  machine,  and  1  hand-power 
drilling  machine.  These  machine  tools  are  driven  by  a  6  by  16  inch  steam  engine,  and  are  used  in  making  and 
repairing  cages,  skips,  cars,  tanks,  etc.,  and  in  repairing  the  machinery  at  the  different  shafts.  2  2-inch  hydrants, 
with  35  pounds  water  pressure,  supply  protection  against  fire.  600  tons  of  coal  can  be  stored  at  this  shaft. 

WASHINGTON  SHAFT. — The  engine  house  at  the  Washington  shaft  is  99  by  32  feet,  the  adjoining  boiler  room 
being  40  by  32  feet.  300  tons  of  coal  can  be  stored  at  this  shaft.  The  blacksmith  shop  and  carpenter  shop  are 
near  the  main  building,  the  former  being  25  by  40  feet  in  extent,  having  2  forges.  The  carpenter  shop  is  32  by  60 
feet.  1  2-inch  hydrant  is  provided  for  fire  protection.  To  the  hydrant  is  attached  50  feet  of  2-iuch  hose,  and  all 
other  hydrants  at  the  shaft  houses  are  similarly  provided.  The  changing  room  is  12  by  20  feet. 

THE  ALMADEN  engine  house  is  34  by  78  feet,  the  boiler  room  24  by  36  feet,  which  also  contains  the  blacksmith 
shop. 

THE  SAN  FRANCISCO  shaft  house  is  20  by  54  feet;  height  of  gallows  frame  is  16  feet,  14  feet  spread  at  the 
bottom  and  8.5  feet  at  the  top. 

LIST  OF  ENGINES,  ETC.,  AT  NEW  ALMADEN. 
HOISTING  ENGINES. 


LOCATION. 

GEARED. 

DIRECT  ACTING—  2  CYLINDERS. 

Single 
cylinder. 

Double 
cylinder. 

Diameter 
of  cylinder. 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

Number 
of 
engines. 

Diameter 
of  cylinder. 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

Randol  shaft  

1 
1 

16.5 
16.0 
12.0 
12.0 
6.0 
6.0 

30 
36 
24 
24 
12 
12 

Santa  Isabel  shaft  

Huena  Vista  shaft  

1 

1 

16 

CO 

Washington  shaft  

1 

Saint  George  shaft  

1 
1 

Almaden  shaft  

STEAM  PUMPS. 


LOCATION. 

DOW. 

KNOWLES. 

WORTHINGTON. 

CAMERON. 

.  STOD- 
DARD. 

No.  4. 

No.  6. 

No.  5. 

No.  0. 

No.  1. 

No.  2. 

No.  0. 

No.  5. 

No.  5. 

Randol  shaft  

1 

1 

Santa  Isabel  shaft  

1 
2 

1 

liuena  Vista  shaft  

Washington  shaft  

1 

1 

Saint  George  shaft  

1 
1 

Hacienda  

1 

In  storeroom  

1 

2 

1 

1 

QUICKSILVER. 


231 


LIST  OF  ENGINES,  ETC.,  AT  NEW  ALMADEN— Continued. 
ENGINES  FOR  GENERAL  SERVICE. 


IOKIZONTAL. 

VERTICAL. 

LOCATION. 

Number 
of 

engines. 

Diameter 
of  cylinder. 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

Number 
of 
engines. 

Diameter  of 
cylinder, 
(inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

1 

6 

16 

1 

6 

g 

Almaden  shaft      .              

1 

6 

7 

1 

8 

16 

2 

6 

7 

In  storeroom  

1 

6 

12 

1 

6 

7 

AIR  COMPRESSORS. 


LOCATION. 

BURLEIOH. 

CLAYTON 
DUPLEX. 

No.  3. 

No.  7. 

No.  3. 

1 

1 

1 

PUMPING  ENGINES. 


LOCATION. 

GEARED. 

COMPOUND  CONDENSING,   DIRECT  ACTING. 

Number 
of 
engines. 

• 

Diameter 
of  cylinder. 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

Number 
of 
engines. 

High-pressure  cylin- 
der. 

Low-pressure  cylin- 
der. 

Diameter 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

Diameter 
(Inches.) 

Stroke. 
(Inches.) 

1 

1 

19 
21 

60 
96 

<            26, 

I            42) 
47 

60 
70 

Washington  shaft  

1 

10 

20 

MACHINERY   AT   HACIENDA. 

The  machine  shop  at  the  hacienda  contains  1  screw-cutting  lathe  with  9.5-inch  centers,  1  flask-tapping  and 
threading  machine,  1  Wiley  &  Russell  bolt  cutter,  and  1  power  drilling  machine. 

The  engine  house  contains  2  horizontal  tubular  boilers:  1  of  50  inches  diameter,  15  feet  long,  with  40 
3.5-inch  tubes,  and  1  of  30  inches  diameter,  11.5  feet  long,  with  19  3-inch  tubes;  1  Knowles  steam  pump,  No.  7; 
and  1  horizontal  steam  engine,  with  1  cylinder  of  8  inches  diameter  and  16-inch  stroke,  driving  soot  machine,  also 
set  up  in  the  engine  house. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   TOOLS. 

The  hammer  is  a  piece  of  steel,  weighing  from  7  to  8  pounds.  It  has  2  striking  faces  or  polls,  the  eye  in  the 
center  being  1.25  inches  in  diameter,  into  which  the  helve  or  handle,  about  2.5  feet  long,  made  of  ash  or  hickory,  is 
fastened. 

The  drills  are  octagonal  bars  of  cast  steel,  about  1  inch  thick,  cut  in  lengths  of  1.5  to  4  feet.  One  end  is  flattened 
out  wedge-shaped  and  drawn  to  1.125  or  1.25  inches  in  width. 

The  scraper  is  a  three-eighths-iuch  bar  of  round  iron,  3.5  to  4  feet  long,  on  one  end  of  which  a  hemispherical  spoon 
is  hammered  out  at  right  angles  to  the  axis  of  the  bar,  while  the  other  end  has  a  half-cylindrical  spoon  about  6  inches 
long,  which  is  used  in  charging  drill  holes  with  black  powder  when  their  direction  is  horizontal  or  slightly  upcast. 

The  swab  stick  is  a  piece  of  round  wood  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter  and  3  or  4  feet  long.  One  end  is 
bruised  into  the  shape  of  a  brush,  to  which  the  sludge  from  the  drilling  adheres  and  is  drawn  from  the  drill  hole. 

The  "  gad"  is  a  piece  of  drill  steel  C  inches  long  made  into  the  form  of  a  wedge.  It  is  used  to  wedge  off  fragments 
of  rock,  or  for  breaking  ground  which  does  not  require  blasting. 

The  "moyle"  is  a  bar  of  drill  steel  from  1  to  2  feet  long  with  4-sided  point.  It  is  used  like  the  gad,  and  is 
especially  employed  in  cutting  the  so-called  "hitches"  for  timbers. 

The  pick  is  made  of  a  square  bar  of  iron  1.5  inches  thick  and  slightly  curved  in  the  plane  of  the  handle.  It  has 
a  4-sided  pyramidal  steel  point  at  the  curved  end,  and  a  poll  3  inches  long  at  the  other  end.  It  has  an  eye  like  the 
hammer  3  inches  from  the  face  of  the  poll,  into  which  the  ash  or  hickory  handle,  about  2.5  feet  long,  is  inserted  and 
secured. 


232  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  shovel  is  the  ordinary  long  or  short  handled  square  or  round-pointed  shovel.  They  are  bought  with  the 
helves  fitted  to  them. 

These  constitute  the  regular  kit  of  tools  with  which  the  miners  are  provided  by  the  mining  company.  Broken 
pick  handles  or  hammer  handles  are  replaced  by  the  miner  who  uses  the  tool. 

The  wheelbarrow  is  used  in  some  of  the  prospect  drifts,  where  a  regular  track  for  tramming  has  not  been  laid. 
The  wheelbarrow  used  in  mining  is  made  of  wood,  and  is  of  the  old  Cornish  type  called  the  "Jack"  wheelbarrow. 

The  timbermeu  use  axes,  crosscut  saws,  handsaws,  augers,  chisels,  sledges,  block  and  tackle,  and  ropes, 
furnished  them  when  needed. 

EXPLOSIVES. 

Black  and  dynamite  powders  are  stored  in  the  company's  powder  magazine,  a  solid  brick  building,  well  protected 
and  standing  isolated  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  Eandol  shaft.  The  percussion  caps  and  fuse  are  kept  apart  in  the 
company's  storehouse.  The  black  powder  used  is  the  size  F  from  the  Santa  Cruz  powder  mills,  and  the  other  powder 
is  dynamite  No.  2.  The  explosives  used  in  the  footage  labores  are  under  the  charge  of  the  blaster,  who  receives. 
at  one  time  from  25  to  30  kegs  (of  25  pounds  each)  of  black  powder  and  about  100  pounds  of  dynamite  powder  from 
the  magazine  and  stores  them  in  an  underground  magazine  built  in  an  abandoned  labor  or  situated  at  a  safe 
distance  from  the  workings.  About  100  to  200  feet  of  fuse  only  are  taken  into  the  mine  at  one  time,  so  as  to 
prevent  its  getting  damp  from  exposure  to  the  atmosphere  underground.  The  blaster  keeps  in  his  magazine,  which 
is  under  lock  and  key,  also  all  the  tools  used  by  the  timbermen  working  in  the  labor.  The  contractors  working 
under  the  tribute  system  for  ore,  or  having  contracts  for  drifting  or  sinking  or  other  prospect  work,  store  their 
explosives  in  a  safe  place  at  a  distance  from  their  work.  The  dynamite  powder  for  ordinary  drill  holes  is  bought 
in  sticks  about  8  inches  long  and  1  inch  in  diameter.  For  machine  drills  the  sticks  are  8  inches  long  and  1.5  inches 
in  diameter. 

To  charge  a  hole  with  dynamite  powder  a  fuse  of  the  required  length  is  first  prepared,  one  end  of  which  is  shaped 
to  go  into  the  cavity  of  the  cap.  The  cartridge  is  then  put  jnto  the  drill  hole  and  pressed  tightly  in  place  with  the 
swab  stick.  It  is  often  found  convenient  to  break  the  stick  of  powder  into  halves  before  placing  it  in  the  hole, 
for  the  reason  that  it  will  more  readily  expand  when  pressed  down  by  the  swab  stick  and  more  completely  fill 
the  drill  hole  without  leaving  voids.  Sometimes  in  very  hard  ground  a  half  or  a  whole  stick  more  of  powder 
is  placed  on  top  of  the  first  one.  The  fuse  with  the  cap  then  being  placed  down  on  the  cartridge,  the  hole  is  filled 
with  fine  dirt  loosely  thrown  in  and  slightly  tamped,  while  a  wet  hole  is  simply  filled  with  water  in  place  of  tamping. 

The  charging  with  black  powder  is  done  as  follows :  If  the  hole  is  downcast,  half  of  the  charge  of  powder, 
from  4  to  7  inches  of  the  drill  hole,  is  poured  in,  the  fuse  with  the  cap  is  inserted,  and  the  other  half  of  the  powder 
charge  is  poured  on  top.  The  hole  is  then  tamped,  which  consists  in  packing  from  12  to  18  inches  of  fine  dirt  on  top 
of  the  powder  by  the  use  of  the  tamping  bar  or  swab  stick.  After  the  hole  has  been  properly  tamped  a  small  piece 
of  candle  (or  snuff)  is  placed  under  the  outhanging  end  of  the  fuse,  to  be  lighted  when  all  holes  have  been  charged 
and  are  to  be  fired.  An  upcast  hole  is  charged  with  a  cartridge  made  of  powder.  These  are  cylinders  made 
of  soaped  paper,  1  inch  in  diameter  and  from  12  to  18  inches  long,  filled  with  powder.  The  fuse  is  inserted  in 
the  middle,  as  in  charging  with  loose  powder.  The  object  of  the  paper  cylinder  is  simply  to  retain  the  powder,  and 
the  paper  is  soaped  so  as  to  keep  the  powder  together.  These  cartridges  are  tamped  and  fired  in  the  same  way  as 
with  loose  powder. 

In  drilling,  the  place  selected  for  the  hole  is  started,  if  possible,  with  a  pick.  A  man  then  takes  a  short  drill, 
and,  holding  it  steadily  in  both  hands  in  the  direction  the  drill  hole  is  wanted,  lets  his  partner  strike  the  other  end 
in  successive  strokes  with  the  hammer.  After  each  blow  he  raises  the  drill  slightly  and  gives  it  about  one-tenth  of  a 
turn.  In  this  way  the  rock  is  chipped  and  a  cylindrical  hole  is  formed.  Water  is  poured  in  the  hole  if  possible,  as  it 
is  found  to  expedite  the  drilling,  converting  the  dust  into  a  wet  sludge,  in  which  state  it  is  easily  removed  from 
the  hole.  A  rag  or  washer  is  put  around  the  drill  to  prevent  the  splashing  of  the  water.  As  the  depth  of  the  hole 
increases  a  longer  drill  is  used,  and  by  continuing  in  this  way  a  hole  from  4  to  6  feet  deep  may  be  drilled.  The 
ordinary  drill  holes  are  usually  from  1  to  4  feet  deep,  according  to  circumstances. 

METHOD   OF   WORK. 

Men  employed  in  prospect  work  labor  in  gangs  as  follows:  For  shaft  sinking,  usually  9  men,  in  3  shifts  of  8 
hours  each,  one  shift  going  to  work  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  next  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  third 
shift  at  11  o'clock  at  night.  No  time  is  allowed  for  regular  lunch.  For  sinking  winzes,  6  men,  in  2  shifts  of  10 
hours  each,  are  employed;  for  raising  a  winze,  4  men,  in  2  shifts  of  10  hours  each;  for  drifting,  4  men,  in  2  shifts  of 
10  hours  each.  These  rules  are  sometimes  altered  to  suit  circumstances. 

Drifting  with  machine  drills  is  done  by  9  men  in  3  shifts  of  8  hours  each.  Most  of  the  drifting  and  sinking 
is  done  by  hand  drills.  Machine  drills  are  only  employed  in  straight  tunnels  or  crosscuts  and  in  the  larger  shafts 
when  a  rapid  progress  of  the  work  is  desirable. 

In  prospect  drifts  miners  follow  the  contact  of  the  vein  or  the  footwall  with  the  hanging  wall  (alta).  To  do 
this  requires  some  experience,  as  the  variable  nature  of  the  rock  makes  this  distinction  at  times  very  difficult.  For 


QUICKSILVER.  23$ 

this  purpose  the  shift  bosses  and  the  milling  captain  visit  daily  the  different  parts  of  the  mine  where  explorations- 
are  going  on  to  make  sure  that  no  errors  are  made  by  the  contractors  in  following  the  vein. 

It  is  the  rule  of  the  company  that  in  drifting,  sinking,  or  raising  the  contractor  has  to  follow  the  line  of  contact 
between  the  alta  and  vein  or  footwall,  one-half  of  the  drift  being  in  either  ground,  and  that  should  the  contact  be 
lost  and  the  breast  of  the  prospect  show  a  decided  change  to  either,  running  all  in  alta  or  all  in  vein,  the  contract 
is  considered  finished,  aiid  new  arrangements  have  to  be  made  as  to  price  before  work  is  continued  as  directed 
under  the  new  circumstances. 

In  crosscuts  and  inclines  or  upraises  where  a  certain  direction  is  to  be  maintained  in  order  to- reach  a  certain, 
point,  lines  are  hung  by  the  surveyor  from  the  roof  of  the  drift  to  indicate  the  required  course. 

The  timbering  of  drifts,  shafts,  winzes,  or  crosscuts  is  done  by  the  contractors  in  pursuance  of  their  work,  and 
is  included  in  the  contract  price.  The  detail  part  of  the  work  is  left  entirely  to  the  company  of  miners-  (contractors),, 
under  the  supervision  of  the  shift  bosses  and  the  mining  captain,  and  the  timber  is  sent  into  the  mine  once  a  week 
for  this  purpose,  usually  Saturdays.  Miners  working  on  footage  are  paid  for  the  loss  of  time  in  transporting  the- 
timbers  to  the  labores  and  in  assisting  the  tinibermen,  while  men  working  on  tribute  or  by  contract  do  this  work 
without  compensation,  as  it  forms  a  part  of  their  contract.  For  the  underground  transportation  small  4-wheeled 
trucks  are  used.  The  timbers  are  stored  underground  partly  in  the  upper  plats  of  the  stations,  partly  in  side  drifts 
that  are  unused,  or  at  other  places  on  the  line  and  out  of  the  way  of  the  tramming  cars. 

The  system  used  in  the  prosecution  of  the  prospect  work  is  called  the  "yardage  system",  because  the  work  is. 
paid  for  by  the  linear  yard  in  depth  or  distance  excavated.  The  yardage  work  is  almost  entirely  done  by  contract.. 
The  several  drifts,  shafts,  winzes,  or  crosscuts  selected  by  the  management  of  the  mine  as  the  future  month's  work 
are  publicly  posted  at  the  company's  office  on  the  hill  1  or  2  days  previous  to  the  acceptance  of  the  bids,  in  order 
to  give  the  miners  sufficient  time  to  view  the  ground  and  satisfy  themselves  as  to  the  difficulties  and  the  hazard  of 
the  undertaking.  The  bids  are  received  on  raya  day  (pay  day),  which  falls  usually  on  the  last  Saturday  of  every 
month,  and  when  all  bids  are  received  they  are  compared  and,  the  lowest  or  most  advantageous  ones  being  selected, 
the  awards  are  made  public  on  the  same  day.  Bids  for  footage  work,  tramming,  and  skip  filling  are  received  at  the 
same  time. 

TIMBERS. 

All  the  timbers  used  underground  are  of  squared  hewn  redwood.  The  thickness  varies  from  8  to  16  inches,  the 
length  from  8  feet  to  16  and  20  feet.  The  lagging  is  3,  4,  or  6  feet  long,  and  has  a  thickness  of  3  by  6  inches  in  cross 
section.  Ties  for  car  tracks  are  4  by  6  inches  in  cross  section  and  4  feet  long.  Timbers  are  stored  on  the  surface- 
near  each  shaft,  a  year's  supply  being  always  kept  on  hand.  Here  the  timbers  are  framed  for  the  required  workr 
including  timbers  for  shafts,  winzes,  and  drifts,  which  are  of  known  sizes,  while  the  timbers  for  use  in  the  labores 
are  sent  into  the  mine  in  whole  lengths  and  cut  to  proper  shape  underground.  The  required  sizes  and  numbers  are 
selected  and  marked  with  their  destination,  the  shaftman  keeping  an  account  of  every  size  and  length  of  timber 
sent  into  the  mine. 

Every  Saturday,  as  already  mentioned,  is  set  apart  for  sending  down  into  the  mine  timbers  that  will  be  required' 
during  the  coming  week.  At  the  Raudol  and  the  Santa  Isabel  shafts  cages  especially  built  for  the  transportation 
of  timbers  are  employed.  The  timbers  are  made  to  stand  up  on  the  platform  of  the  cage,  while  the  upper  end* 
are  securely  lashed  to  its  frame.  The  timbers  are  lifted  into  this  cage  by  a  hand  winch,  using  a  1-inch  rnanilla  roper 
to  which  2  chains  are  fastened  with  dogs  at  their  ends,  that  are  driven  into  the  timber.  They  are  brought  to  the 
shaft  on  small  trucks,  and  when  at  the  proper  station  in  the  shaft  are  received  there  by  the  men,  who  unload  them 
from  the  cage  by  the  dexterous  use  of  rollers,  aided  by  the  engineer  on  the  surface  by  slowly  hoisting  at  the  given 
signal.  A  regular  force  of  timbermen,  from  15  to  20,  attend  to  the  general  timbering  in  the  mine,  as  repairing  and 
replacing  old  or  wornout  or  broken  timbers  in  drifts  and  labores  or  winzes,  and  framing  timbers  for  these  purposes- 
011  the  surface.  These  timbermeii  are  paid  by  the  month,  and  have  their  light  furnished. 

The  timbering  of  the  footage  labores  is  done  under  the  supervision  of  the  blaster  (who  is  in  charge  of  the  labor)) 
by  the  timbermeu,  assisted  by  the  miners  working  on  footage  contract  if  necessary,  for  which  work  they  receive- 
day's  pay. 

The  yardage  work  is  measured  at  the  end  of  the  contract,  which  usually  extends  to  the  end  of  every  month,  by 
the  mining  captain,  aided  by  the  surveyor,  and  in  presence  of  the  mining  superintendent.  The  footage  work  i» 
measured  daily  before  blasting  the  holes  by  the  blaster  or  foreman  of  each  labor. 

Contracts  with  tributers  are  renewed,  every  month  by  the  mining  captain  and  superintendent,  who  then  inspect 
every  tributer's  pitch  or  labor,  and  agree  with  the  company  of  tributers  011  the  price  to  be  paid  per  ton  of 
cleaned  ore. 

The  laborers  in  the  mine  are  paid  by  the  day  and  provide  their  own  light.  Their  work  consists  in  shoveling  ore 
in  the  footage  labores  down  to  the -platform,  where  it  is  handy  for  the  cars;  assisting  the  timbermen,  shaftmeu? 
and  pumpmen;  filling  skips  in  shafts,  and  tramming  cars  where  this  work  is  not  given  out  by  contract;  dumping 
the  cars  at  the  planilla  during  nighttime,  and  other  services.  About  20  men  are  employed  in  these  occupations,  in 
2  shifts  of  10  men  each. 


234  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

One  man,  an  experienced  miner,  is  employed  at  each  shaft  to  attend  to  all  work  that  pertains  to  it,  looking 
after  the  pumps,  skip  roads,  station  plats,  ladder  ways,  shaft  timbers,  and  general  repairs.  He  is  assisted  by 
laborers  or  timbermen  as  required.  The  shaftmen  are  paid  by  the  month  and  are  furnished  with  light. 

The  mining  captain  is  the  superintendent  of  all  underground  work,  which  he  directs  with  the  aid  of  the  shift 
bosses.  All  matters  relating  to  mining  are  reported  to  him. 

There  are  2  shift  bosses,  alternating,  or  day  and  night  shifts.  They  inspect  during  their  shift  all  work  done 
in  the  mine  by  prospectors  or  tributers,  also  the  laborers,  timbermen,  trammers,  etc.,  marking  down  labor  shifts  and 
footage  work,  and  reporting  the  same  at  the  office.  They  see  that  the  proper  force  of  men  is  at  work  everywhere,  and 
in  cases  of  absence  that  substitutes  are  provided  to  insure  the  regular  working  at  all  places. 

SURFACE   WORK. 

The  surface  foreman  supervises  all  surface  work  not  directly  connected  with  mining.  He  makes  the  requisitions 
for  all  necessary  supplies  and  materials,  which  he  keeps  in  store,  and  accounts  for  them  as  they  have  been  received 
and  distributed.  All  improvements  on  the  surface,  dwellings,  boarding  houses,  storehouses,  offices,  shaft  houses, 
roads,  water  works,  telephone  lines,  etc.,  are  under  his  direct  supervision,  so  also  the  working  of  the  old  surface  ore 
dumps,  the  planilla  work,  stables,  and  transportation.  He  collects  the  rents  for  dwellings  and  ground  lease,  is 
the  manager  of  the  Helping  Hand  hall,  and  looks  after  the  sanitary  and  general  police  regulations. 

The  surveyor  attends  to  all  surveying  on  the  surface  and  in  the  mine  and  the  mapping  thereof.  He  makes  monthly 
a  report  on  the  progress  of  the  prospect  work,  the  condition  of  the  labores,  the  quantities  of  ore  and  waste  rock  hoisted 
at  the  different  shafts,  and  ores  sent  to  the  hacienda  reduction  works. 

The  clerk  in  the  hill  office  keeps  the  monthly  and  daily  account  of  all  labor  performed  and  ore  produced,  and  the 
pay  rolls. 

The  chief  engineer  has  charge  of  all  machinery,  boilers,  and  the  blacksmith  and  machine  shops  on  the  hill  and  at 
the  hacienda.  His  monthly  report  contains:  skip  loads  of  ore  and  waste  rock  hoisted  at  each  shaft;  trips  with  men 
and  timbers;  average  steam  pressure  in  pounds;  average  vacuum  in  inches;  temperatures  of  feed  water,  of  hot- water 
well,  and  injection  water;  revolutions  of  pumping  engines;  number  of  gallons  of  water  raised;  amount  of  coal  used  at 
boilers,  in  blacksmith  shop,  and  for  steam  pumps;  amount  of  coal  and  firewood  on  hand;  quantities  of  different 
lubricants  used,  and  other  notations  of  interest. 

Transportation  is  done  by  contract.  The  contractor  keeps  his  horses  and  wagons  at  the  hacienda.  He  provides 
teams  at  fixed  contract  prices,  and  hauls  the  ore  from  the  planillas  or  the  old  surface  dumps  to  the  ore  chutes  at  a 
certain  price  per  ton.  The  hauling  of  timber,  coal,  wood,  and  other  supplies  is  also  by  contract.  Between  70  and 
80  draft  horses  and  mules  are  employed  in  this  work. 

>  ORE   DRESSING  AND   TRANSPORTATION. 

The  vein  matter,  just  as  it  is  broken  in  the  labores  or  stbpes  of  the  mine,  is  run  out  in  cars  on  an  elevated  tramway 
above  the  planilla  or  dressing  floor  belonging  to  each  principal  shaft.  The  most  important  is  the  Randol  planilla, 
which  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  Randol  tunnel.  All  of  the  rock  hoisted  at  the  Randol  shaft  is  trammed  out 
through  this  tunnel.  6  cars,  holding  1.5  tons  each,  are  used  to  transport  the  rock.  While  2  full  cars  are  being 
drawn  out  2  others  are  being  filled  and  the  other  2  are  being  dumped.  Switches  and  double  tracks  at  the  shaft 
and  mouth  of  the  tunnel  enable  the  change  of  trains  to  be  made. 

The  loaded  cars  are  received  at  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel  by  a  man  called  the  "  dumper",  who  runs  them  into  the 
planilla  shed  or  to  the  "tepetate"  dump,  accordingly  as  they  contain  "metal"  (pay  ore)  or  barren  rock  from  drifts 
and  crosscuts. 

The  Randol  planilla  floor  is  14.5  feet  below  the  track.  At  intervals  of  32  feet  iron  bar  screens  are  placed  which 
extend  from  the  track  to  the  floor  at  an  angle  of  45°.  The  screen  bars  are  made  of  wrought  iron  and  are  placed  from 
1  inch  to  1.25  inches  apart.  The  bars  are  slightly  chamfered  in  cross  section  to  prevent  choking.  To  prevent  spreading 
they  are  stayed  with  cast-iron  crossbars  at  intervals  of  4  feet,  and  to  take  the  sudden  jar  of  large  rocks  dumped  from 
the  cars  above  short  pieces  of  heavy  T  rails  are  placed  longitudinally  in  the  upper  end  of  the  screen.  The  sides 
are  constructed  of  heavy  scantlings.  The  outside  width  of  the  9  screens  is  5  feet.  Upon  these  screens  the  metal  is 
dumped,  and  what  passes  through  is  known  as  "tierras".  The  coarse  fragments  which  fail  to  pass  the  screens  are 
carefully  picked  over.  On  account  of  the  tribute  system  it  is  necessary  to  keep  the  ore  produced  by  each  body  of 
miners  in  a  pile  by  itself,  and  as  the  ore  produced  by  each  company  of  footage  men  is  also  kept  separate,  the 
production  of  ore  ("granza")  from  each  level  and  ore  stope  is  accurately  known.  The  tierras  are  allowed  to  mix 
indiscriminately.  Metal  is  cleaned  only  during  the  daytime,  the  work  being  done  by  men  and  boys.  Rock  hoisted 
during  the  night  shift  is  dumped  on  the  screens  and  cleaned  the  next  day,  the  capacity  of  the  screens  being  sufficient 
to  allow  this  without  inconvenience. 

It  has  been  already  mentioned  that  the  breaking  and  mining  of  the  ores  is  done  by  two  systems,  one  called  the 
footage  system,  the  other  the  tribute  system.  The  ore  broken  by  the  footage  system  on  the  different  levels  of  the 


^3 


c 


QUICKSILVER.  235 

mine  is  also  kept  separated  011  the  planilla  in  order  to  credit  each  level  with  the  amount  of  ore  produced.  2  or 
more  levels  are  usually  so  represented  on  the  planilla.  For  all  these  reasons  the  ores  coming  from  different  sources 
have  to  be  dumped  over  separate  screens.  In  cleaning,  the  ore  which  does  not  pass  the  screens  is  piled  separately 
for  each  company  of  tributers  and  for  each  level,  so  that  it  may  be  weighed  separately  and  credit  be  given  accordingly. 
There  are  at  times  as  many  as  15  companies  of  tributers  so  represented  on  the  planilla,  besides  the  footage  labores 
from  2  or  3  different  levels,  all  of  which  have  their  ore  piled  in  separate  heaps. 

The  sorting  is  done  very  rapidly,  and  the  rich  pieces  of  ore  picked  out.  All  pieces  of  rock  which  do  not  contain 
any  signs  of  metal  are  thrown  into  a  car  and  brought  to  the  waste  dump.  Large  rocks  containing  some  ore  and  much 
waste  rook  are  piled  on  one  side  to  be  cleaned  by  spalling  or  breaking  the  rocks  with  sledge  hammers  and  separating 
the  waste  rock.  What  is  left  over  is  taken  to  the  pile  of  ore  where  it  belongs.  The  cleaning  of  the  ore  in  this  way 
is  speedily  done. 

TRANSPORTATION  OF  ORE. — From  the  planilla  floor  the  ore  and  tierras  are  loaded  into  ore  wagons  and  weighed 
on  platform  scales.  These  wagons,  drawn  by  4  horses,  hold  about  3  tons  of  medium-grade  ore,  and  transport  the  ore 
and  tierras  a  distance  of  about  1.33  miles  along  a  nearly  level  but  very  winding  road  to  a  series  of  bins,  from  which 
the  ore  and  tierras  are  dumped  into  cars.  A  railroad  track  extends  from  here  a  distance  of  1,600  feet  to  the  head  of 
a  self-acting  incline.  The  cars  in  trains  are  drawn  over  this  track  by  a  mule.  The  cars  hold  about  2  tons  each,  and 
have  a  gauge  of  3  feet.  They  are  lowered  down  the  incline,  the  speed  of  descent  being  regulated  by  a  brake  operated 
by  a  long  lever.  A  loaded  car  brings  up  at  the  same  time  an  empty  one.  3  rails  form  the  2  tracks  of  the  incline, 
except  midway,  where,  to  avoid  meeting,  the  cars  switch  apart  on  2  parallel  tracks.  The  connecting  cable,  a  wire 
rope  1  inch  in  diameter,  passes  3.5  times  around  an  iron  drum  6  feet  6  inches  in  diameter  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
incline.  This  drum  is  controlled  by  a  hand  brake  acting  upon  a  wheel  7  feet  in  diameter,  and  the  brake  levers 
are  coupled  so  as  to  give  a  leverage  of  57  to  1.  The  brake  band  is  6  inches  wide,  and  consists  of  iron  lined  with 
hard  wood.  The  incline  trucks  are  surmounted  by  a  horizontal  platform  upon  which  the  ore  cars  rest,  this 
platform  when  at  either  end  of  the  incline  being  level  with  the  railroad  tracks.  The  incline  is  about  830  feet  in 
length,  and  has  a  slope  of  about  28°.  The  cable  is  supported  by  wooden  rollers  placed  between  the  rails  at  intervals 
of  24  feet.  From  the  foot  of  the  incline  the  cars,  in  trains  of  5,  are  drawn  by  another  mule  on  a  track  to  the  ore  bins 
and  screens  near  the  furnaces.  The  cars  are  arranged  to  dump  sidewise,  being  tilted  up  by  mean's  of  levers,  while 
at  the  same  time  the  side  of  the  car  is  swung  open. 

As  already  mentioned,  these  cars  hold  about  2  tons  of  ore  or  tierras,  but  the  exact  weight  is  never  taken,  as  the 
amount  shipped  each  day  is  reported  from  the  planilla. 

Two  classes  of  ore,  sorted  according  to  size,  thus  reach  the  reduction  works  at  the  hacienda,  viz,  granza 
(coarse)  and  tierras  (fine).  Formerly,  when  the  old  dumps  were  being  worked  over,  the  coarse  ore  so  obtained  was 
called  "terrero",  to  distinguish  it  from  the  granza  of  the  mine.  This  class  is  no  longer  produced.  Old  dumps  are 
still  being  worked  for  tierras,  but  all  coarse  fragments  are  separated  by  means  of  ore  forks  and  rejected  if  waste 
rock,  or  broken  small  if  they  contain  cinnabar.  An  intermediate  size  of  ore  called  granzita  is  obtained,  at  the 
hacienda  principally,  by  passing  the  mine  tierras  over  screens  with  1.25-inch  meshes.  The  ore  product  is  classified 
as  follows : 

SIZES  OF  ORE  PRODUCT. 

(  Ore  or  granza,  coarse,  rich. 
At  the  mine J  Tierras,  fine,  poor. 

,  Granza,  8  to  3.5  inches,  rich. 

At  the  works  <  Granzita,  3.5  to  1.25  inches,  poor. 

(  Tierras,  1.25  inches  to  dust,  poor. 

• 

There  are  4  screens  into  which  the  tierras  from  the  mine  are  dumped.  No.  1  screen  consists  of  36  cast-iron 
meshed  plates  1  inch  thick  and  2  by  2.5  feet  square.  The  screen  is  4  plates  (8  feet)  wide  and  9  plates  (22.5  feet) 
long,  and  has  an  inclination  of  45°.  The  meshes  are  1.5  inches  square  on  the  upper  side,  and  larger  underneath 
to  prevent  clogging,  the  diagonals  of  the  meshes  being  parallel  to  the  sides  of  the  plate.  At  the  bottom  of  the  screen 
there  are  2  draw  chutes,  1  for  tierras  and  1  for  granzita,  No.  3  screen  is  4  plates  (8  feet)  wide  and  5  plates  (12.5  feet) 
long.  The  meshes  are  like  those  in  No.  1,  but  the  plates  are  placed  at  an  angle  of  about  40°.  No.  6  screen  is  4 
plates  (8  feet)  wide  and  6  plates  (15  feet)  long,  with  an  inclination  of  about  35°.  The  plates  are  similar  to  those  in 
Nos.  1  and  3,  except  that  the  sides  instead  of  the  diagonals  of  the  meshes  are  parallel  to  the  sides  of  the  plates— an 
arrangement  not  considered  so  good  as  that  in  Nos.  1,  7,  and  3.  4  chutes,  2  for  tierras  and  2  for  granzita,  are 
provided.  The  ore,  although  screened  at  the  mine,  is  again  screened  at  the  reduction  works  to  free  it  from  the 
small  quantity  of  fine  material  produced  by  the  cleansing  and  transportation. 

4  ore  bins  are  provided,  having  a  capacity  of  40,  80,  80,  and  700  to  800  tons,  respectively,  all  under  cover. 
The  40-ton  bin  is  provided  with  a  screen  consisting  of  longitudinal  1. 5-inch  wrought-iron  bars  2  inches  apart  and 
12  feet  long,  placed  at  an  angle  of  about  40°.  The  ore  is  loaded  into  cars  from  2  chutes.  2  chutes  are  also 
provided  for  the  screened  granzita  and  tierras.  The  2  80-ton  bins  are  simply  inclosed  incline  planes,  each  of  which 
has  2  chutes  for  discharging  the  ore  into  the  cars.  The  700  to  800  ton  bin  is  a  large  inclosure  for  storing  ore.  Cars 


236  MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

for  grtmzita  and  tierras  are  provided  with  screens  on  top  of  the  car  box.  For  tierras  the  meshes  are  1.25  inches 
square  and  for  granzita  2.25  by  3.5  inches. 

Granzita  taken  from  the  chutes  is  usually  charged  directly  into  the  furnaces.  The  surplus  is  stored  in  a  shed 
19  feet  wide,  100  long',  and  20  feet  high,  adjoining  furnaces  Nos.  1  and  2. 

Tierras  are  rarely  sufficiently  dry  to  charge  directly  into  the  furnaces.  Those  containing  clay  are  particularly 
objectionable,  and  must  be  thoroughly  dried  before  being  roasted.  The  driest  tierras  are  dumped  into  No.  3  screen 
and  brought  to  the  tierra  dump  under  the  roof  between  furnaces  Nos.  3  and  8,  a  place  GO  feet  square,  surrounded  on 
3  sides  by  bulkheads,  and  are  there  dumped  in  large  piles.  Wet  tierras  are  dumped  into  screens  Nos.  1  and  6, 
and  from  there  are  brought  into  the  yard  during  favorable  weather  to  be  spread  out  and  exposed  to  the  drying 
influences  of  the  sun  and  wind. 

Very  wet  tierras  are  stored  aside  in  a  shed  containing  room  for  about  3,000  tons.  The  tops  of  the  condensers 
of  Nos.  3,  6,  and  8  furnaces  are  utilized  for  drying  tierras  spread  out  in  thin  layers  over  the  heated  surfaces.  A 
system  of  tracks  and  floors  renders  this  distribution  very  easy.  The  driers  in  connection  with  the  first  condensers 
of  No.  G  and  No.  3  furnaces  are  fully  described  in  Professor  S.  B.  Christy's  article  on  "Quicksilver  condensation  at 
New  Almaden",  volume  xiv  of  Transactions  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  1885. 

In  order  to  raise  the  tierras  and  granzita  to  the  level  of  the  furnaces  after  the  screening  and  drying  operations 
are  ended,  2  water-balance  elevators,  1  on  each  side  of  the  creek,  are  provided.  Each  elevator  consists  of  2  iron 
tanks  of  equal  size  moving  in  guides  and  connected  by  means  of  a  wire  rope,  which  passes  over  a  sheave,  and 
moving  in  2  compartments,  each  formed  of  4  8-inch  square  pieces,  which  serve  to  guide  the  tanks.  The  tanks 
are  4  feet  by  5  feet  by  2  feet  deep,  having  platforms  and  tracks  on  top  for  the  cars.  Pits  are  sunk  in  the  floor  of  each 
compartment  in  order  to  bring  the  platform  of  the  tanks  level  with  the  tracks  in  the  yard.  The  connecting  rope  is 
three-fourths  inch  in  diameter,  and  passes  2.5  times  around  the  sheave,  6  feet  in  diameter.  A  band  brake  acting 
on  a  drum  (5  feet  3  inches  in  diameter)  on  the  sheave  controls  the  speed.  The  water  for  overbalancing  the  loaded 
car  is  introduced  at  the  top  of  the  elevator  by  means  of  a  swinging  pipe  and  is  discharged  at  the  bottom  through 
an  automatic  valve. 

The  distribution  of  the  tierras  and  granzita  from  the  chutes  to  the  various  required  points  in  the  furnace  yard 
is  eifected  by  means  of  wooden  cars.  The  granzita  and  tierras  cars  hold  1,000  pounds.  The  boxes  are  13  inches  by 
30  inches  by  49  inches  inside.  The  charging  cars  for  coarse  ore  or  granza  are  1  foot  3  inches  by  2  feet  9  inches  by 
6  feet  4  inches,  and  are  lined  with  sheet  iron,  the  capacity  being  1,600  pounds.  The  tracks  have  a  gauge  of  2  feet, 
and  are  constructed  of  steel  T  rails  weighing  12  pounds  per  running  yard.  Pivoted  iron  plates  43  inches  in  diameter 
are  used  as  turntables. 

WEIGHING   CHARGES. 

Granzita  and  tierras  charges  are  estimated  by  the  known  capacity  of  the  cars.  The  granza  cars  run  over 
platform  scales  and  the  contents  are  accurately  weighed,  every  charge  of  ore  to  be  exactly  1,600  pounds. 

FURNACE   YARD. 

The  furnace  yard,  as  represented  by  the  accompanying  map,  consists  of  about  15  acres,  situated  in  the  canon 
formed  by  the  Alamitos  creek.  On  either  side  rise  steep  hills  and  rocky  bluffs,  and  about  a  mile  to  the  west  is  Mine 
Hill,  which  has  an  elevation  of  about  1,265  feet  above  the  hacienda.  The  yard  is  flat  and  the  bases  of  the  different 
furnaces  and  condensers  are  approximately  on  the  same  level.  The  2  granzita  furnaces,  Nos.  1  and  2,  are  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  creek.  The  others  are  all  on  the  west  bank.  The  ore  tramway  from  the  mine  enters  on  the  west  amtl 
follows  •along  the  hillside  to  the  ore  bins  and  screens,  which  are  about  60  feet  above  the  furnace  floor. 

The  floors  of  the  furnace  inclosures  are  paved  with  brick,  and  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  furnaces,  condensers,. 
and  weighing  rooms  are  covered  with  a  layer  of  cement  or  cement  and  asphaltum. 

There  are  separate  weighing  and  bottling  rooms  for  each  furnace  except  Nos.  7  and  9,  6  and  8,  which  have 
1  room  for  each  2  furnaces.  The  floors  are  cemented  and  usually  have  a  slope  toward  the  center,  with  a  small 
cavity  to  collect  quicksilver  if  spilled.  The  weighing  rooms  contain  the  quicksilver  vats,  scales,  and  a  number  of 
flasks.  The  product  of  each  furnace  is  kept  separate,  and  the  quicksilver  in  the  vats  is  weighed  and  flasked  once  or 
twice  every  day.  The  weighing  is  done  by  the  watchmen,  who  keep  a  record  of  the  number  of  flasks  of  quicksilver 
weighed  and  sent  out  and  the  number  on  hand  in  each  weighing  room,  and  this  account  is  handed  in  at  the  office 
every  night.  The  flasks  of  quicksilver  are  piled  up  in  the  weighing  room  to  await  shipment  or  to  be  transferred  to- 
the  storehouse. 

The  flasks  now  used  are  secondhand,  being  bought  in  the  market  from  shippers.  All  old  flasks  require- 
overhauling.  They  are  carefully  examined  to  detect  cracks  and  holes  and  are  then  scraped  inside  to  remove  iron 
scales  and  foreign  substances.  If  necessary,  they  are  retapped  and  fitted  with  new  stoppers.  To  remove  the  oil 
which  they  acquire  in  retapping  they  are  piled  in  a  rectangular  heap  and  subjected  to  heat.  Ordinary  quicksilver 
flasks  are  about  12  inches  long,  cylindrical,  5  inches  in  diameter,  made  of  wrought  iron  three-eighths  inch  thick,, 
weigh  about  13.5  pounds,  and  have  capacity  for  85  to  93  pounds  of  quicksilver  if  completely  filled,  but  to  allow  for 


QUICKSILVER.  237 

expansion  a  fixed  quantity  of  76.5  pounds  is  weighed  in,  making-  the  gross  weight  of  flasks  and  contents  for  shipment 
90  pounds. 

Wood  for  the  furnaces  is  bought  from  private  parties,  who  bring  it  to  the  hacienda  from  nearly  exhausted  forests 
15  to  20  miles  distant.  The  wood  comes  in  lengths  of  4  feet.  For  furnaces  7  and  9  the  wood  is  cut  by  a  machine  at 
the  hacienda  into  lengths  of  2  feet.  The  wood  is  piled  in  the  furnace  yard  and  hauled  to  the  different  furnaces  as 
needed.  An  accurate  account  of  the  consumption  of  wood  for  each  furnace  is  kept,  and  the  average  amount  of  wood 
necessary  for  roasting  a  ton  of  ore  is  computed  each  month.  The  kinds  of  wood  used  are  live  oak,  tan-bark  oak, 
white  oak,  redwood,  pine,  inanzanita,  and  madrone.  Live  oak  is  usually  preferred  to  white  oak,  which  is  much 
inferior.  Pine  is  good  as  fuel,  but  has  rather  too  much  flame  and  produces  soot.  Redwood  makes  good  fuel  if  not 
more  than  one  year  old.  Redwood  and  live  oak  mixed  burn  well  and  with  the  proper  amount  of  heat  and  flame. 

On  account  of  the  soot  cleaning  it  is  desirable  to  obtain  a  certain  quantity  of  ash,  which  redwood  alone  will  not 
produce;  hence  the  reason  for  mixing  it  with  oak  wood. 

KELATIONS  WITH  LABOR. 

The  population  of  New  Almaden,  depending  upon  the  working  of  the  mines,  lives  within  easy  reach  of  the  mine 
workings,  on  what  is  called  Mine  Hill,  on  the  flat  slopes  of  which  the  houses  and  other  •  buildings  are  grouped 
along  the  most  accessible  places.  Near  the  oldest  workings  of  the  old  mine  is  that  portion  generally  inhabited 
by  the  Spanish-Americans  and  called  Spanishtown,  while  farther  to  the  north  and  east  of  Mine  Hill  is  the  so-called 
English  camp,  where  the  English-speaking  population  resides.  The  population  numbers  about  1,350  persons. 
Most  of  these  are  Mexicans  (native  Californians),  and  the  next  largest  percentage  is  composed  of  Cornishmen  and 
their  offspring.  Americans,  English,  Germans,  Swedes,  Italians,  and  a  few  Chinamen  complete  the  list  of  nationalities. 

Near  the  reduction  works  at  the  foot  of  Mine  Hill  is  the  hacienda,  which  consists  of  the  furnaces,  office, 
storerooms,  workshops,  and  dwellings  of  all  employes  connected  with  the  reduction  works.  Both  places  are  upon 
the  lands  of  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  and  all  local  arrangements  and  sanitary  matters  are  therefore  largely 
under  the  controlling  influence  of  the  mine  manager. 

The  educational  interests  are  taken  care  of  by  the  state  school  department.  A  very  neat  schoolhouse  in  the 
English  camp  and  a  smaller  one  in  the  Spanish  camp  are  under  the  direction  of  a  principal  and  3  lady  teachers, 
and  another  is  located  at  the  hacienda,  under  the  management  of  1  or  2  teachers.  The  Quicksilver  Mining 
Company  does  all  in  its  power  to  foster  and  assist  these  interests.  At  the  enumeration  for  the^Eleventh  Census 
there  were  reported  333  children  between  6  and  17  years  of  age  on  the  hill  and  85  children  at  the  hacienda.  The 
average  attendance  is  about  80  per  cent  in  all  the  schools.  During  the  last  year  "technical  schools"  were 
established  at  both  settlements,  furnishing  instruction  in  blacksinithing  and  carpenter  work  for  the  boys  and  sewing 
and  plain  cooking  for  the  girls.  Although  these  schools  were  open  only  during  the  term  of  vacation  in  the  public 
schools,  very  gratifying  results  were  obtained. 

There  is  a  Catholic  church  in  Spanishtown  and  a  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  the  English  camp.  A 
Methodist  minister  resides  at  the  camp.  The  Catholic  church  is  attended  on  Sundays  and  great  holidays  by  a 
priest  not  resident  at  the  place.  These  churches  were  built  with  the  aid  of  private  contributions,  assisted  by  the 
company  and  manager. 

Only  1  saloon  is  permitted  on  the  hill,  and  it  is  allowed  to  sell  only  beer  and  wine,  other  intoxicating  liquors 
being  excluded. 

Benevolent  institutions  are  of  a  private  nature.  The  Englishmen  have  a  mutual  benevolent  society,  the  members 
of  which  succor  each  other  in  times  of  need  or  sickness,  and  the  Mexicans  have  3  similar  societies,  called  the 
Guadalupe  society  (Nuestra  Seiiora  de  Guadalupe),  organized  February  1,  1873,  and  reformed  in  May,  1886,  and 
the  Hidalgo  and  Philanthropico  societies. 

The  sanitary  department  is  represented  by  a  resident  physician  and  surgeon,  assisted  by  a  competent  druggist 
and  a  complete  drug  store.  This  is  under  the  so-called  miners'  fund  of  New  Almaden,  established  by  general 
consent  in  1870.  The  rules  and  regulations  of  this  institution  are  in  substance  as  follows : 

I.  Employes  of  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  heads  of  families,  and  all  other  adults  residing  at  New 
Almaden  each  pay  $1  monthly  into  said  fund.    The  money  so  contributed  is  held  by  a  trustee/to  be  paid  out  for 
the  following  purposes:  first,  the  salaries  of  a  resident  physician  and  druggist  and  for  the  purchase  of  medical 
supplies;  second,  for  the  relief  of  contributors  whom  circumstances  may  entitle  to  the  same,  and  for  other  contingent 
expenses. 

II.  Contributors  are  entitled,  without  further  payment,  to  the  attendance  of  the  resident  physician  for  themselves 
and  their  immediate  families,  except  that  in  cases  of  confinement  the  sum  of  $5  is  charged,  and  medicines  are 
prescribed  and  furnished  on  payment  of  cost. 

III.  When  the  fund  is  subject  to  any  expense  for  relief  of  persons  indigent  or  otherwise,  as  for  medicines,  nurses, 
and  supplies,  it  will  be  regarded  in  the  nature  of  a  gift  or  as  an  advance  to  be  repaid,  as  the  trustee  may  decide  to 
be  just,  considering  the  circumstances  of  eacli  case. 

IV.  It  is  expressly  agreed  that  when  the  resident  physician  is  called  to  attend  any  person  not  a  contribtttot  to 


238 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


the  fund  there  shall  be  a  charge  of  not  less  than  $5  for  each  visit,  to  be  paid  into  the  fund  and  to  be  charged  against 
and  collected  from  the  head  of  the  house  where  such  noncontributor  may  be  living. 

V.  The  trustee  serves  without  pay,  and  in  consideration  thereof  it  is  understood  that  the  foregoing  rules  and 
regulations  will  be  observed  by  all  persons  interested  therein ;  and  it  is  expressly  agreed  that  all  sums  due  or  to 
become  due  to  the  fund  by  contributors,  or  any  of  them,  shall  be  a  lien  upon  any  property  of  the  contributors  at 
New  Almaden  and  upon  any  money  due  or  to  become  due  them  for  wages  from  the  Quicksilver  Mining  Company, 
which  money  the  company  is  authorized  to  pay  over  to  the  fund  without  further  notice. 

HOSPITALS. — 2  hospitals  are  provided,  1  in  the  English  camp  and  1  in  Spanishtown,  although  their  use  is 
very  rarely  required.  Nurses  are  paid  from  the  miners'  fund.  An  employe  receiving  an  injury  while  on  duty  or 
at  his  work  is  supplied  with  medical  or  surgical  supplies  without  cost,  and  nurses  and  sustenance  are  furnished  if 
necessary,  or  support  given  his  family  during  his  illness  and  incapacity  for  work.  Cases  of  destitution  from  ordinary 
sickness  or  other  causes  are  deservedly  considered. 

The  physician  makes  a  monthly  report  of  (1)  the  number  of  visits  made  each  month,  (2)  the  number  of  office 
prescriptions,  (3)  the  number  of  vaccinations,  (4)  the  number  of  obstetrical  cases,  (5)  the  number  of  cases  of  salivation. 
The  druggist,  who  is  also  a  clerk  for  the  mine,  makes  up  the  prescriptions,  for  which  he  is  paid  an  allowance  of 
$25  per  month.  The  accounts  and  collections  are  made  by  the  bookkeeper  of  the  hacienda.  He  also  receives  a 
compensation  of  $25  per  month. 

The  company  provides  stabling  for  the  physician's  saddle  horse,  and  all  the  necessary  buildings  for  offices, 
hospitals,  dispensary,  and  dwelling  house  for  the  physician,  free  of  expense. 

The  report  of  the  physician  for  the  year  ended  November  30,  1890,  is  given  below.  The  table  treats  only. of 
the  employes  at  the  mine  and  at  the  reduction  works.  A  statement  on  the  following  page  deals  with  the  entire 
population  residing  on  the  lands  of  the  company. 

PHYSICIAN'S  REPORT  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  FOR  THE  YEAR  1890. 


ITEMS. 

ram. 

WORKS. 

Number. 

Per  cent. 

Number. 

Per  cent. 

Average  number  of  employes  

316 

47 

Number  and  per  rent  of  cases  of  mercurialism              

33 

5 
267 

10.44 
1.58 
84.50 

Number  and  per  cent  of  serious  accidents  

Number  and  per  cent  of  new  cases  

55 

117.  02 

Total  new  cases  of  all  kinds  

305 

96.52 

55 

117.  02 

Deaths  

3 

«  !».  49 

a  Per  thousand. 

The  above  table  shows  a  decided  difference  in  the  salivation  rate  at  the  mine  in  comparison  with  that  at  the 
works,  and,  being  so  remarkable,  is  well  worthy  an  inquiry  as  to  its  cause.  This  difference  may  in  a  measure  be 
explained  as  follows :  the  miners  employed  in  the  extraction  of  ore  work  by  contract  as  a  rule,  and  a  certain  number 
of  careless  men,  through  their  own  negligence,  become  victims  to  mercurial  salivation.  Men  engaged  in  ore  chambers 
where  native  mercury  is  found  are  requested  not  to  eat,  drink,  or  smoke  without  first  cleaning  the  face  and  hands 
and  using  a  solution  of  potassium  chlorate  as  a  mouth  wash.  Working  stripped  to  the  waist  is  discouraged. 

As  the  greatest  attention  is  paid  toward  the  attainment  of  perfect  ventilation,  which  is  of  prime  importance  in 
the  prevention  of  mercurial  sickness,  it  is  the  physician's  belief  that  if  the  miners  were  more  thorough  in  the  use  of 
the  above  precautions  the  salivation  rate  at  the  mine  would  be  under  1  per  cent,  whereas  it  is  now  over  10  per  cent 
It  is  probable  that  there  will  always  be  a  slight  amount  of  mercurial  sickness,  owing,  very  likely,  to  the  suspension 
in  the  moist  atmosphere  of  the  mine  of  a  small  amount  of  the  chlorides  and  possibly  other  salts  of  mercury.  The 
absolute  immunity  from  mercurialism  of  the  men  employed  at  the  reduction  works  may  be  explained  on  the  following 
grounds,  viz :  to  the  thorough  sealing  of  furnaces,  condensers,  and  flues;  to  the  use  of  forced  draft  by  means  of  fans; 
to  the  discontinuance  of  soot-cleaning  by  hand;  to  the  medical  prophylaxis,  which  consists  solely  in  the  use  of  a 
saturated  solution  of  potassium  chlorate  as  a  mouth  wash  after  the  slightest  exposure  to  mercurial  vapor  or  other 
noxious  fumes;  to  the  employment  at  the  works  of  a  careful,  faithful,  and  comparatively  temperate  class  of  men,  this 
last  characteristic  being  in  no  small  degree  responsible  for  the  absence  of  mercurial  sickness;  lastly,  to  the  increasing 
experience  now  obtaining  in  the  proper  reduction  of  quicksilver  ores,  and  to  the  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  management 
to  secure  absolute  immunity  from  mercurial  salivation  through  the  use  of  the  most  approved  apparatus  and  appliances. 
There  were  but  5  accidents  of  a  serious  nature,  all  of  them  being  fractures,  none  of  which  proved  fatal. 

The  high  and  greatly  abnormal  sick  rate  was  due  to  the  prevalence  of  the  grippe  epidemic  in  the  winter  of  1889 
and  spring  of  1890,  yet  no  fatal  cases  resulted  therefrom.  The  3  deaths  reported  as  occurring  at  New  Almaden 


^33-A.^ 

i,>^j»  TH» 


QUICKSILVER. 


239 


mine  were  caused  by  parenchymatous  nephritis,  pyaemia,  and  erysipelas  following  a  gunshot  wound..    A  special 
census  taken  during  December,  1890,  gives  the  information  contained  in  the  following  table: 


SPECIAL  CENSUS  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  IN  1890. 


1T&MS. 

Total. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN. 

ANGLO-AMERICAN  AND  OTHERS. 

Over  5  years. 

5  years  and  under. 

Over  5  years. 

5  years  and  under. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male.              Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

Male. 

Female. 

Hill  (mine)          

1,132 
223 

282 
24 

190 
22 

47 

42 
6 

283 
91 

214 
57 

39 
11 

35 

8 

Total            

1,355 

306 

212 

51 

48 

374 

271 

50 

43. 

2B 

48 

4 

0 
28 

7 

2 

1 

2 
20 

2 

1 

The  analysis  of  this  table  shows  the  following  death  rate : 

DEATH  RATE  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  IN  1890. 

PER  1,000. 

Spanish- American 30. 8 

Anglo-American  (including  other  nationalities) 8. 1 


Average  death  rate 18.  5 

BIRTH  RATE  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  IN  1890. 

PER  1,000. 

Spanish- American  /! . . .  45. 4 

Anglo-American  (including  other  nationalities) 27. 1 

Average  birth  rate 35.  4 


.  ._/ 


The  difference  in  the  mortality  rate  between  the  Spanish- Americans  and  the  Anglo-Americans,  which  includes 
some  of  other  nationalities,  is  noteworthy,  as  the  2  classes  are  living  under  similar  climatic  conditions;  yet 
tubercular  disease  is  very  common  with  the  former  class  and*  caused  10  deaths,  while  with  the  latter  class  not  a> 
single  case  is  to  be  remarked.  The  diseases  which  caused  death  were  tuberculosis,  10;  cholera  infautum,  3j 
capillary  bronchitis,  cancer,  peritonitis,  laryngismus  (stridulous),  meningitis,  erysipelas,  tetanus,  nephritis,  diphtheria, 
pyaemia,  and  injuries  following  a  burn,  1  each.  Excepting  the  grippe  and  measles,  no  disease  has  been  epidemic 
during  the  past  year,  a  fact  which  serves  as  a  criterion  of  the  excellent  hygienic  conditions  at  present  existing. 

THE  HELPING  HAND. — A  social  organization,  called  the  Helping  Hand  Club,  for  which  the  company  built 
and  fitted  up  comfortable  houses,  on  the  hill  as  well  as  at  the  hacienda,  induces  pleasant  intercourse  among  the 
inhabitants.  The  hall  building  at  the  hacienda  is  a  modern  structure  in  very  attractive  style,  having  on  its  lower 
floor  a  large  assembly  hall  and  stage  for  concerts  or  other  entertainments,  adjoined  by  reading  and  dressing  rooms, 
while  the  upper  floor  is  divided  into  4  bedrooms,  for  the  use  of  visitors  or  guests  at  the  reduction  works.  On  the 
hill  the  building  consists  of  a  large  assembly  hall,  with  stage  and  dressing  rooms,  a  reading  room,  and  kitchen,  all 
on  one  floor.  Both  halls  are  provided  with  pianos,  purchased  by  the  club  managers  with  surplus  funds  from 
entertainments  given,  and  the  reading  rooms  have  small  libraries  besides  a  list  of  monthly  magazines  and  the  best 
daily  and  weekly  newspapers.  The  halls  are  warmed  and  lighted  by  the  company,  and  admission  is  free  to  all  residents 
at  the  mine  and  reduction  works  who  are  employes  of  the  company.  Entertainments  of  musical  or  dramatic  character 
are  here  given  by  the  club  members,  and  at  other  times  the  halls  are  provided  with  card  tables,  where  the  members 
may  enjoy  a  pleasant  game  of  checkers,  chess,  or  cards.  Every  encouragement  is  given  to  residents  for  domestic  or 
public  comfort,  and  the  result  of  this  patriarchal  regime  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  many  of  the  miners  have  worked 
here  uninterruptedly  for  30  years  or  more ;  some,  in  fact,  have  been  born  on  the  soil,  are  now  heads  of  families,  and  - 
consider  the  mine  their  home  for  life. 

The  great  majority  of  the  workmen  are  married  and  have  families,  and  this  class  of  labor  is  encouraged  and 
fostered  as  much  as  possible,  as  it  forms  a  more  reliable  and  responsible  element  than  could  be  had  by  engaging 
single  men  without  domestic  ties,  liable  to  roam  at  any  moment.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  strikes  have 
never  occurred,  and  are  not  likely  to  occur  as  long  as  this  reciprocated  feeling  of  trust  and  good  will  exists  between 
the  management  a.nd  the  employes. 

The  single  men  employed  are  boarded  and  lodged  in  boarding  houses,  of  which  there  are  2  on  the  hill,  1 
for  the  English  speaking  and  1  for  Spanish  men.  Both  are  large,  substantial  dwellings  with  all  the  comforts  of 


:240 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


domestic  life,  large,  well-ventilated  dining  rooms  and  sleeping  rooms  neatly  furnished,  while  there  are  in  the  basement 
rooms  in  which  to  change  and  dry  the  damp  clothing  brought  from  the  mine.  At  the  hacienda  a  similar  boarding 
house,  furnished  by  the  company,  is  kept  for  single  men  or  visitors.  Tlfe  sleeping  rooms  for  workmen  are  arranged 
in  a  separate  building,  a  similar  one  being  also  on  the  hill. 

HOURS  OF  WORK.— The  hours  of  work  on  the  surface  are  from  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  6  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  allowing  1  hour  at  noon  for  dinner  or  lunch.  Miners  go  into  the  mine  at  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  and 
evening  and  leave  the  mine  at  5  in  the  evening  and  morning,  respectively.  1  hour  at  noon  and  midnight  is  allowed 
for  lunch  and  rest,  which,  allowing  half  an  hour's  time  to  reach  their  working  places  and  as  much  for  returning  to 
the  surface,  makes  8  hours  of  solid  work  in  the  mine. 

On  Sundays  and  national  holidays  work  is  stopped  in  the  mines  and  on  the  surface,  except  at  the  pumps 
of  the  Buena  Vista  shaft,  which  are  continued  without  interruption. 


Up  to  August  31, 1863,  the  New  Almaden  mines  had  produced  ^3,619,834  pounds  of  quicksilver,  equal  to  308  756 
flasks  of  76.5  pounds  each,  from  51,157  short  tons  of  ore,  or  461.7  pounds  to  the  ton,  an  average  of  23.09  per  cent 
Including  the  above,  the  total  to  the  close  of  1889  amounted  to  69,191,113.5  pounds,  or  904,459  flasks. 

PRODUCT  OF  QUICKSILVER  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  FOR  37  YEARS  AND  3  MONTHS. 


HATES. 

Total  pounds 
of  ore  roasted. 

Total  flasks 
of  quick- 
silver pro- 
duced. 

Yield  of 
quicksilver. 
(Per  cent.) 

DATES. 

Total  pounds 
of  ore  roasted. 

Total  flasks 
of  quick- 
silver pro- 
duced. 

Yield  of 
quicksilver. 
(Per  cent.) 

Total  and  average  .     

1  262  789  640 

ii*'.i'.',  888 

5j.i 

25,  458,  175 

16,  898 

5.08 

•July,  1850,  to  June,  1851  

4  970  717 

23  875 

January,  1870,  to  December,  1870  

21,  097,  700 

14,  423 

5.23 

July,  1851,  to  June,  1852  

4  643  290 

19  921 

January,  1871,  to  December,  1871  

22,  034,  700 

18,  568 

6.45 

-July,  1852,  to  June,  1853  

4  839  520 

18  035 

January,  1872,  to  December,  1872  

21,  416,  600 

18,  574 

6.63 

.July,  1853,  to  June,  1854  

7  448  000 

26  325 

January,  1873,  to  December,  1873  

17,  330,  375 

11,042 

4.87 

July,  1854,  to  June,  1855  

9  109  300 

31  860 

January,  1874,  to  December,  1874  

23,  454,  000 

9,084 

2.96 

.July,  1855,  to  June,  1856.  .  .  .•  

10  355  2DO 

28  083 

January,  1875,  to  December,  1875  

31,  106,  200 

13,  648 

3.36 

July,  1856,  to  June,  1857  

10  299  900 

26  002 

January,  1876,  to  December,  1876  

33,  316,  950 

20,  549 

4.72 

July,  1857,  to  June,  1858  

10  997  170 

29  347 

January,  1877,  to  December,  1877  

37,231,300 

23,  996 

4.93 

July,  1858,  to  October,  1858  

3  873  085 

10  588 

January.  1878,  to  December,  1878  

36,  942,  225 

15,  852 

3.28 

November,  1858,  to  January,  1861  

« 

January,  1879,  to  December,  1879  

55,  065,  135 

20,  514 

2.85 

February,  1861,  to  January,  1862 

13  323  200 

34  765 

January,  1880,  to  December,  1880  

61,  354,  850 

2:i,  465 

2.93 

February,  1862,  to  January,  1863   

15,281  400 

40  391 

January,  1881,  to  December,  1881  

64,  141,  135 

26.  060 

3.11 

February,  1863,  to  August,  1863     _ 

7  172  660 

19  564 

January,  1882,  to  December,  1882  

72,  147,  200 

28,  070 

2.98 

.September,  1863,  to  October,  1863  .  .  . 

2  346  000 

5  520 

January,  1883,  to  December,  1883  

77,  162,  500 

29,  000 

2.88 

November,  1863,  to  December,  1863 

2  359  300 

4  447 

14  42 

January,  1884,  to  December,  1884  

79,  251,  000 

20,  000 

1.93 

January,  1864,  to  December,  1864- 

23  277  600 

49  4g9 

January,  1885,  to  December,  1885  

79,  069,  300 

21.400 

2.07 

January,  1865,  to  December,  1865 

31  948  400 

47  194 

January,  1886,  to  December,  1886  

81,  398,  690 

18,  000 

1.69 

January,  1866,  to  December,  1866 

26  885  300 

35  150 

January,  1887,  to  December,  1887  

64,  151,  300 

20,  000 

2.38 

January,  1867,  to  December.  1867 

•><5  023  933 

24  461 

January,  1888,  to  December,  1888  

57,  325,  600 

18,  000 

2.40 

January,  1868,  to  December,  1868 

29  405  530 

25  628     ' 

January.  1889,  to  December,  1889  

57,  775,  200 

13,  100 

1.73 

«  Additional  product  of  Enriquita  mine  from  1860  to  1863.  10,571  flasks. 


UIIVIHSITY 


QUICKSILVER. 


241 


WAGES  AT  NEW  ALMADEN  IN  1889. 


EMPLOYES. 

Per  month. 

Per  day. 

MINK. 

$100.  00 

Machinist's  helpers  .               .       

$60.00  to    75.00 

Engine  drivers  .        

70.00  to    80.00 

Firemen       

40.00  to    60.00 

Blacksmiths  

45.  00  to    60.  00 

Blacksmiths'  helpers  

30.  00  to    35.  00 

Pumpmen  .            

71.  00  to    90.  00 

71.00 

71.00 

Ilnilp.rmalcpirs  .  .    ...............                               _                                  

$2.00  to  $2  50 

Timbennen  (^haftmen)  

2.00  to    2.50 

Carpenters  

3.00 

Surface  laborers     

1.50  to    2.00 

1.75  to    2.00 

1  50  to    2  00 

Trammers  

1.  75  to    2.  25 

Skip  fillers  

2.00 

1.25  to    1  75 

Boys  

1.  00  to    1.  50 

HACIENDA. 

Furnace  foremen  

100.  00 

Weighers  

85.00 

Machinists  

70.00  to  100.00 

150.00 

Blacksmith  

3.00 

Blacksmiths'  helpers  

1.25  to    2.00 

Carpenters  

3.00 

50  00 

Laborers.  

2.  00  to    2.  25 

Furnacemen  (trammers)  

2.00 

2.50 

2.10 

Transportation,  2-horse  teams  

4.00 

6.00 

SUPPLIES  CONSUMED  DURING  THE  YEAR  1889. 


ITEMS. 

At  mine. 

At  hacienda. 

Total     

$54  855.  15 

$31  573.33 

1  20 

38  99 

1  816  40 

778  31 

144  25 

743  93 

Coal  

19  539.63 

2  346.51 

Hav  and  grain  .  .  . 

1  031.67 

2  064  40 

Iron,  steel,  and  hardware  

3,128.40 

1,062.77 

1  557  24 

Lime  and  cement  

24  77 

82  77 

Lumber  and  timber  

17  247  26 

2  167  39 

2  081  17 

Railroad  iron  

339.  20 

28.06 

2,  273.  30 

1  607  85 

Wood                                     

5  670  66 

13  738  24 

Flasks  

6,914.11 

•  '••-      t* 

DRIFTING,    SINKING,  AND  PROSPECTING  ("DEAD  WORK")  AT   NEW  ALMADEN. 


1880       

FEET. 

5  144.79 

1886 

FEET. 

11,926.00 

1881  

4,  574.  25 

1887  

10,  766.  50 

1882  

9,,  133.  00 

1888  n  '*»'             

9,  582.  00 

1883   

.       6*"699.  50 

1889         .     

10,  169.  00 

1884 

6  814  50 

1885... 

.  11.370.50 

Total  .. 

..  86,180.04 

35  M- 


-16 


242 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


TABLE   SHOWING  AMOUNT  AND   COST   OF   PRODUCTION   OF   ORE  AND    QUICKSILVER  AND   OF   PROSPECT   WORK  AT 

NEW  ALMADEN,  1880  TO  1889,  INCLUSIVE. 


Total  tons  of  rock,  vein 

matter,  and  ore  ex- 
tracted from  the  mine. 


Total  tons  of  granza 
ore  shipped  to  re- 
duction works. 


Total  tons  of  tierras 
ore  shipped  to  re- 
duction works. 


Total  tons  of  all  ore 
shipped  to  reduc- 
tion works. 


Total  tons  of  all  de-    Flasks  of  quicksil- 
scriptions  of  ore    j  ver  of  76.5  pounds 
roasted.  each  produced. 


Total 


1,109,770.28 


73,  916.  89 


2P3, 088. 66 


337,  005.  55 


346,  888.  39 


217.  095 


1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
1887. 
1888. 
1889. 


83, 666. 79 

90, 295. 65 

120,  222. 57 

117,579.45 

126, 139. 61 

138, 639. 52 

120, 398. 85 

115, 004. 15 

99, 166. 54 

98, 657. 15 


al,  527.  67  > 
08,  020.  75 
o9, 236. 43 

09, 584. 20 

2)8.00 
07, 624. 23 

681. 37 
08, 484. 77 
6183.  70 
07, 183. 96 

660.  52 
a6,  214. 52 

622. 18 
o5,  060.  95 

624.59 
a4, 599.  05 


64, 145.  30  i 
a!2, 125.  50  i 
611,  697. 70  i 
a!4,  097. 50  5 
610, 274.  00  i 
a!4,  705.  81  5 
.611,214.321 
020, 289.  24  5 
611, 596. 79  ^ 
a.20,  038.  20  5 

64,  010. 59  ) 
«25, 039. 91  ) 

65,  900.  61  > 
024,  717.  72  i 

67, 114. 95  > 
019,  642. 95  3 

64,  896. 82  ) 
a!8, 196.44> 

63, 605. 75  > 
a!9, 778. 56  > 


23,  798. 47 
33, 815. 95 
34, 216. 24 
41,  087.  76 
39, 267.  22 
37,  616. 64 
37, 985. 99 
33,  032. 94 
28, 176. 39 
28, 007. 95 


30,  677. 43 
32,  070.  57 
36,  073.  60 
38, 581. 25 
39,  625.  50 

39,  534.  65 

40,  699. 34 
32, 075. 65 
28,  662.  80 
28,  887.  60 


23, 465 
26,  060 
28, 070 
29,000 
20,000 
21,400 
18,000 
20,000 
18,000 
13,100 


Average  yield 

of  all  ores 

roasted. 

(Per  cent.) 


Cost  per  ton  for 
mine  supplies,  tim- 
ber, powder,  fuse, 
iron,  steel,  lagging, 
candles  and  oils, 
railroad  iron,  and 
sundries. 


Cost  for  labor 
per  ton  for  all 
matter  mined. 


Cost  per  ton  for  all 
ore  delivered  at 

the  furnaces ;  labor, 

supplies,  and 
transportation. 


Total  and  averages 


2.39 


I860. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
1887. 
1888. 
1889. 


2.93 
3.11 
2.98 
2.88 
1.93 
2.07 
1.69 
2.38 
2.40 
1.73 


0.62 
0.55 
0.59 
0.65 
0.74 
0.88 
0.82 
0.71 
0.71 
0.55 


2.22 
2.11 
2.29 
2.16 
2.15 
2.34 
2.66 
2.59 
2.81 
2.49 


Cost  per  flask, 
embracing  all  ex- 
penses, less  receipts 
from  rentals  and 
other  sources,  (c) 


$10. 46 


10.40 
7.37 
10.45 
8.34 
9.62 
12.23 
11.33 
11.82 
12.76 
11.10 


$21. 09 


15.25 
13.35 
17.13 
16.10 
24.00 
26.75 
29.14 
24.75 
25.24 
30.41 


^Number  of  yards 
drifted,  sunk,  etc. 


Average  price 

paid  per  yard, 

not  including 

supplies. 


28, 110. 32 


1,  714. 93 

1,  524. 75 
3,  043.  63 

2,  006.  87 
1, 836.  53 
3,871.58 

3,  954. 18 
3,  553.  82 
3, 276. 45 
3, 327.  58 


$23.  61 


22.30 
30.61 
26.69 
25.52 
29.27 
25.30 
22.25 
23.76 
21.65 
16.96 


a  From  mine  proper. 


iFroin  surface  workings. 


cDoes  not  include  increase  or  decrease  of  ore  account  at  hacienda. 


THE    PRODUCTION   OF   VERMILION. 

As  the  result  of  inquiries  made,  it  was  reported  that  6  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  city  of  New  York 
consumed  in  1889  535,728  pounds  of  quicksilver,  equal  to  about  7,003  flasks,  in  the  manufacture  of  600,047  pounds 
of  vermilion. 

The  manufacturers  of  mercurial  preparations  absolutely  declined  to  give  any  account  of  the  quicksilver  consumed 
in  the  manufacture  of  their  several  products,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  impossible  to  separate  the  figures,  but  after 
much  difficulty  the  aggregate  amount  of  quicksilver  consumed  by  2  firms  was  ascertained  to  be,  respectively,  750 
and  1,754  flasks.  As  the  desired  information  could  not  be  acquired  from  all  the  manufacturers,  the  foregoing 
statement  of  consumption  is  only  an  approximation. 


MJ.  L  IX 

. 


OiiK  AT 


1884 


1885 


1887. 


Total  anil  av 


i 

!8H1. 
188V. 

- 
UiS4 


A  vcragc 

ofall.> 

roa*;- 

,     (Per  .•»• 


•                                   -cksil- 
"ii.5  pounds 
•t«d.                         produced. 

340,  888.  39 

217,0»S 

23,  405 

26,060 

28,  070 

41,  Of 

29,000 

*>  79  > 

8! 

20,000 

•:«.« 

21,  400 

18,000 

20,000 

<                             »-4   »..- 

18,000 

al»,  7 

13,  100 

T.rice 

• 

sop;' 

*c.  *•      .              fio.«t   ' 

)5.26 

v  30.  61 

3,043 

26.69 

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UNIVERSITY 


QUICKSILVER. 


243 


The  following  statement  has  been  prepared,  after  special  study  of  the  mines  mentioned,  to  show  the  quantity  of 
quicksilver  consumed  in  gold  and  silver  milling.  The  limits  are  very  great,  due  partly,  of  course,  to  the  great 
difference  in  character  of  the  ores  treated,  but  very  greatly  also  to  skill  in  mill  practice. 

CONSUMPTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  PER  TON  OF  ORE  WORKED. 


YEAES. 

Mines. 

States  and  territories. 

Number  of 
mills. 

Ore  worked. 
(Tons.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed. 
(Pounds.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed. 
Pounds  per  ton.) 

jggg                              

Bimetallic  (silver)  

Montana  

1 

23,  215 

43,  528 

1.87 

Elkhorn  (silver  and  lead)  

....do  

1 

8,712 

13,  387 

1.54 

....do  

1 

6,634 

8,803 

1.33 

1889  

....do  

1 

8,091 

7,889  • 

0.98 

do       

....do  

1 

8,962 

9,  231  • 

1.03 

Montana  (limited)  (gold  and  silver) 

....do  

1 

33,482 

46,  545  • 

1.39 

do             

....do  

1 

41,  728 

50,235  • 

1.20 

do    

....do  

1 

75,  005 

48,434  • 

0.65 

do      

....do  

1 

83,745 

21,503   • 

0.2C 

....do  

1 

78,  749 

38,  638  »- 

0.49 

Ontario  (silver  and  lead)  

Utah  

1 

34,  733 

35,  580 

1.02 

1889  

Blue  Bird  (silver)  

Montana  

1 

103,  076 

85,  474 

0.88 

Granite  Mountain  (silver)  

....do  

1 

120,  000 

96,  000 

0.80 

Lexington  (gold  and  silver)  

....do  

1 

20,  281 

16,667 

0.82 

1883  

do       :  

....do  -- 

1 

22,  138 

13,  120 

0.59 

..do  

....do  

1 

20,  749 

16,  141 

0.78 

....do  

1 

21,  379 

6,688 

0.31 

do        

....do  

1 

23,  789 

9,678 

0.41 

do         

....do  

1 

24,594 

13,594 

0.55 

1889  

....do  

....do  

1 

26,  361 

13,  497 

0.51 
0  06 

1888-1889  

Empire  (gold)  
North  Star        

California  
....do  

1 

17,  259 

842 

0.05 

1888  

do         

....do  

1 

20,  525 

995 

0.05 

Tread  well  

Alaska  

1 

218,  000 

2,  725 

0.01 

South  Dakota  

1 

2,  159,  Oil 

14,53fl 

0.01 

1880-1890  

Idaho  (gold  and  silver)  

California.  

1 

278,  830 

7,879 

0.03 

At  the  Bimetallic  mine,  in  Montana,  the  ore  is  base  silver.    It  all  requires  roasting.    The  average  composition 
of  the  ore  is  as  follows : 

AVERAGE  COMPOSITION  OF  ORE  FROM  THE  BIMETALLIC  MINE,  MONTANA. 


Cilinn 

PER  CENT. 

64.50 

7.70 

2.52 

2.70 

8.45 

2.73 

0.  45 

PEK  CENT. 

Arsenic **  58 

Antimony ^.  55 

Zinc 5  -80 

Silver * 3-97 


Total 


The  ore  of  the  Montana  (limited)  mine  contains  gold  and  silver  in  the  proportion  of  about  64  per  cent  gold  and 
36  per  cent  silver.  The  gangue  is  quartz,  with  a  small  quantity  of  broken  slate.  The  ore  is  free  milling,  and  is 
treated  by  the  «  combination  process"  of  amalgamation  before  concentration.  The  principal  base  in  the  quartz  is 
copper,  of  which  there  is  a  slight  amount,  as  well  as  a  trace  of  lead  and  a  very  small  percentage  of  manganese. 

At  the  Ontario  mine  in  Utah  the  country  rock  is  quartzite  and  limestone;  the  gangue  is  quartz;  fahlore  is  the 
principal  silver-bearing  mineral,  containing  galena,  zinc  blende,  copper,  and  iron  pyrites,  carrying  comparatively 
little  silver  and  a  trace  of  gold.    Near  the  surface,  and  also  in  many  portions  of  the  mine  below  the  water  level,  the 
sulphurets  are  more  or  less  decomposed  and  oxidized.    The  ore  first  mined  was  free  milling.    At  present  all 
has  to  be  subjected  to  a  chloridiziug  roasting  before  amalgamation. 

There  are  2  classes  of  ore  shipped  from  the  Ontario  mine.  The  first,  containing  from  70  to  80  ounces  of  si  ver 
and  from  10  to  12  per  cent  lead  per  ton,  is  sold  to  the  smelters;  the  second,  containing  from  35  to  50  ounces  silver 
per  ton,  with  a  small  percentage  of  lead,  is  reduced  at  the  home  mill.  The  percentage  of  copper  and  zmc  m  the  ore 
varies  more  or  less,  and  has  never  been  accurately  determined. 

At  the  Lexington  mine,  Montana,  the  gangue  is  quartz.     The  ore  averages  1  ounce  in  gold  and  oO  ounces  of 
silver     The  process  of  reduction  is  dry  crushing,  chloridizing,  roasting,  and  amalgamating  in  pans, 
are  iron,  copper,  lead,  and  zinc  as  sulphurets,  in  various  proportions,  the  average  being  for  these  sulphurets  about 


244 


MINERAL  INDUSTRIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


10  per  cent,  with  from  10  to  20  per  cent  of  other  gangue  material,  not  quartz,  consisting  of  manganese  spar  and 
calc-spar. 

The  Empire  mine,  California,  has  a  quartz  gangue.  The  ore  is  free-milling  gold.  There  are  no  other  metals  to 
speak  ot  in  the  gangue  matter. 

The  Idaho  mine,  California,  has  quartz  for  the  gangue,  and  the  ore  yields  gold  and  silver  combined;  gold  about 
85.4  to  silver  14.6.  It  is  free  milling.  There  are  no  other  metals  of  value. 

At  the  Granite  Mountain  mine  the  ore  contains  silver,  with  about  one-tenth  of  an  ounce  per  ton  of  gold.  The 
ore  is  refractory,  requiring  roasting  in  order  to  be  chloridized  and  desulphurized.  The  contents  of  the  average  ore 
are  about  as  follows  : 

COMPOSITION  OF  GRANITE  MOUNTAIN  ORE. 


PER  CENT. 

Silica 80 

Iron g 

Arsenic 2 

Copper .  Trace. 


Sulphur. . 

Zinc 

Antimony 


The  vein  matter,  outside  of  the  quartz,  is  mostly 


The  zinc,  iron,  etc.,  are  found  in  the  form  of  sulphides, 
decomposed  granite. 

The  Hope  mine,  Montana,  yields  silver  ore— no  gold.    It  is  free  milling,  not  roasted;  contains  manganese  in 
varying  quantities,  usually  a  small  percentage.    The  gaugue  is  blocky  quartz,  with  sulphurets  and  chloride  of  silver 
between  yellow  limestone  walls,  with  yellow  clay  on  the  hanging  wall. 

CONSUMPTION   OF   QUICKSILVER   ON   THE   COMSTOCK  LODE,   NEVADA. 

The  following  table  gives  the  tons  of  Comstock  ore  worked,  the  amount  of  quicksilver  consumed  for  each  year 
and  the  average  number  of  pounds  of  quicksilver  consumed  per  ton  of  ore  worked  for  the  period  stated.  The  table 
does  not  include  all  the  working  mills  for  the  several  years  given,  but  does  include  nearly  all  those  mills  that  have 
kept  reliable  data,  These  mills  were  located  in  Storey,  Lyon,  and  Orinsby  counties,  in  Nevada. 

CONSUMPTION  OF  QUICKSILVER  IN  MILLING  THE  ORES  OF  THE 
COMSTOCK  LODE. 


YEARS. 

Number 
of  mills. 

Ore  worked. 
(Tons.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed. 
(Pounds.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed 
per  ton. 
(Pounds.) 

Total  

50 

1,  268,  083 

2,  498,  248 

1.97 

1880  

6 
4 

4 
5 
3 
3 
5 
6 
7 
7 

130,  578 
47,  890 
81,  110 
95,  993 
83,  120 
78,689 
192,  837 
159,  666 
195,  203 
202,  997 

246,  347 
91,  352 
142,  665 
176,  201 
157,  646 
131,  934 
371,  570 
387,  655 
415,  077 
377,  801 

1.89 
1.91 
1.76 
1.84 
1.90 
1.68 
1.93 
2.43 
2.13 
1.86 

1881  

1882  

1883  

1884  

1885  

1886  

1887  

1888  

1889  

The  table  following  gives  the  tons  of  Comstock  tailings  worked,  the  amount  of  quicksilver  consumed  for  each 
year,  and  the  average  number  of  pounds  of  quicksilver  consumed  per  ton  of  ore  worked  for  the  period  stated.  In 
addition  to  the  remarks  for  the  ore  table,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  results  are  not  so  uniform,  due  doubtless  to  the 
presence  at  times  of  foreign  matter  that  sometimes  unavoidably  gets  into  the  tailings  during  the  rainy  season,  and 
other  causes  not  known.  The  percentage  of  loss  is  less,  because  the  tailings  already  hold  quicksilver.. 


244 


MINE!,'  1I1K  TXITE;  PES. 


10  per  <-ent,  with  from   i 
ca!r-> 

Tin.'  Empire  mi;  a  quan 

.)f  m  th 
The  Idaho  J  :,as  quarts  for  the  g:i;  i  the  ox 

-Iver  1  !  •  uiilling.     T! 

\i  ihe  • .         . 

ore  i\s  retractnn  .  requirir  iiiddesni 

• 


iind 

re  iici  other  metals  to 
•  >mi»h!cd;  gold  about 

•f  gold.    The 
•  •rage  ore 


COMPOSITION 


MOUNTAIN 


=   . 





.' 

- I' 

!«•,   iron,  t'te..  arc  found  in  the  form  of  - 

••iiposed  granite. 

The  Uo]M-  mine.  Moiit:«n;»,  yields  silver  ore — no 
varyiii"-  (jnantities.  uMially  u  small  i)«Trenta.ire.  Tin- 
bet\\  ecu  yellow  limestone  walls,  with  yellow  clay  on  the 


matter,  outside  of  the  quartz,  is  mostly 

asted  ;  eon  tains  -  >se  in 

and  Chi.-;  :t\er. 


.  MT'TION   01'   QUICKSILVER   ON    Til 

The  following  table  gives  the  tons  of  ( 'omstock  01-  •!,  the  am 

rh»'  nNcrage  number  of  pounds  of  quicksilver  <•  ton  of  ore  v 

iloes-ii'if  include  all  the  working  mills  for  the  s 

k,'[»t  reliable  data.    These  mills  were  located  ii 


- 
•• 


The  t.j, 

year,  and  the  a 
addition  to  the 

•nee  at  times  of  t<m* 
othef  causes  not  known. 


YEAKS. 

JTamber 
of  mills. 

Ore  v 

(T'H 

(Potu 

lilvor 

ii)D. 

u.ls.) 

Total 

1  97 

1880 

24,, 

1881 

4 

47  890 

91  352     • 

1  91 

4 

61  110 

1  76 



•    '01 

1  84 

. 

a 



18M5  

3 

78  689 

B 



6 

i'nt  066 

. 

7 

2  13 

••01 

1  86 

»f  Comstoek  tailings  worked,  the  amount  of  quick  n-d  foi-  each 

pounds  of  quicksilver  consumed  per  ton  of  ore  worked  for  the  peri                 :.     In 

•s'it  may  b(^  stated  that  the  reaul1              >t  so  uni.^  >  the 

unavoidably  i4et>*  into  the  tailings  din  and 

Mie  tailings  airo:v!>   : 


QUICKSILVER. 


245 


YEARS. 

• 

Number  of 

mills. 

Ore  worked. 
(Tons.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed. 
(Pounds.) 

Quicksilver 
consumed 
per  ton. 
(Pounds.) 

Total  

22 

400,  075 

368,  920 

0.92 

1880          

4 

104,056 

86,680 

0.83 

1881                  

5 

68,  714 

44,451 

0.65 

1882                         

3 

42,  583 

43,  987 

1.03 

1883                 

2 

19,  514 

34,346 

1.76 

1884                  

2 

39,  871 

38,  960 

0.98 

1885                       

2 

29,  527 

23,945 

0.81 

1886                              

1 

31,164 

32,  752 

1.05 

1887                

1 

19,  806 

17,  694 

0.89 

1888                     

1 

24,154 

24,585 

1.02 

1889                         

1 

20,  686 

21,  520 

1.04 

The  following  table  includes  all  the  quicksilver  shipped  over  the  Virginia  and  Truckee  railroad  into  Nevada 
during  the  period  from  1880  to  1889,  both  years  inclusive.  The  number  of  flasks  was  not  reported  by  the  railroad 
officials  at  Carson,  only  the  tons  and  pounds,  and  the  flask  has  been  taken  as  weighing  90  pounds,  gross. 

QUICKSILVER  SHIPPED  OVER  THE  VIRGINIA  AND  TRUCKEE  RAILROAD, 
NEVADA,  FOR  10  YEARS. 


YEARS. 

Tons 
and  pounds. 

Total 
in  pounds. 

Flasks. 

Total                   

2,156         66 

4,  312,  066 

47,  912 

1880                

110    1,800 

221,800 

2,464 

1881                       

119    1,554 

239,554 

2,662 

1882                         

120    1,  615 

241,615 

2,685 

1883               

150    1,  278 

301,  278 

3,347 

1884                      --• 

174    1,535 

349,  535 

3,884 

1885                         

267    1,  449 

535,  449 

5,949 

1886                                      

360     

720,  000 

8,000 

1887                         

290    1,  180 

581,  180 

6,458 

1888                                

375        150 

750,150 

8,335 

1889                 

185    1,  505 

371,  505 

4,128 

Of  TH1     "'^ 

[TJIITIRSITY; 


TO  DKK  ^M  WHICH  BOKROWED 

LOAN  DEPT 


LD  21A-50W-3  '62 

(C7097slO)476B 


General  Library 
University  of  Calif  otma 

Berkeley 


YE   I  I Ofeb 


